candidate

noun

can·​di·​date ˈkan-də-ˌdāt 

ˈka-nə-, 

-dət

1

a

: one that aspires to or is nominated or qualified for an office, membership, or award

a candidate for governor

a candidate for "Manager of the Year"

the best candidate for the job

b

: one likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for something specified

a candidate for surgery

2

: a student in the process of meeting final requirements for a degree

a PhD candidate

Did you know?

Roman Fashion Is Responsible for Candidate

When a man running for public office in ancient Rome greeted voters in the Forum, the center of judicial and public business, he wore a toga that had been whitened with chalk. As a result, the Latin word for someone seeking office came to be candidātus, meaning literally "clothed in white." Candidātus, in turn, comes from the adjective candidus, meaning "white." Candidātus was adopted into English as candidate, and since the 17th century that word has had an uncontested seat in the language.

Synonyms of candidate

• applicant
• contender

Examples of candidate in a Sentence

Candidates can apply in person or send a resume.

a Ph.D. candidate in linguistics

The program has several doctoral candidates.

Recent Examples on the Web

Gallego is a relatively moderate and somewhat heterodox candidate, and although his plan isn’t exactly a Luddite call to smash the robots, he might be seen as a bellwether for what the left side of the aisle will be thinking in the coming years. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2026

Gallant was considered a long shot candidate by most analysts because LaLota has won his previous two races with ease. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 10 Nov. 2026

Colorado law requires an automatic recount when the margin between candidates is less than half of 1% of the winning candidate's total votes. — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026

The measure, which would not apply to federal elections, would impose restrictions on how public money could be spent, including requiring candidates to demonstrate a base of public support. — Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin candidātus "man running for public office," noun derivative from candidātus "dressed in white clothes," from candidus "bright, white" + -ātus -ate entry 3; from the whitened toga worn by candidates for office in ancient Rome — more at candid entry 1

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing candidate

• Manchurian candidate

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Kids Definition

candidate

noun

can·​di·​date ˈkan-də-ˌdāt 

ˈkan-ə-, 

-dət

: one who runs in an election contest or is proposed for an office or honor

Etymology

from Latin candidatus "candidate," from candidatus (adjective) "dressed in white," from candidus "shining white," from candēre "to be bright, shine" — related to candid, candle

Word Origin

In ancient Rome it was the custom for a person who wanted to be elected to public office to wear a toga that had been rubbed with chalk to make it white. The Latin word for "dressed in white" was candidatus. In time this word came to be used for the person himself, or the candidate. The Latin word candidatus came from candidus, meaning "bright, shining white." This in turn came from candēre, a verb meaning "to shine, be bright." Latin candēre has given us two other English words: candid, which at first meant "white, free from prejudice" but now usually means "honest, natural," and candle, the mass of wax with a wick that is burned to give off a bright light.