credential

1 of 3

adjective

cre·​den·​tial kri-ˈden(t)-shəl 

: warranting credit or confidence

—used chiefly in the phrase credential letters

credential

2 of 3

noun

1

: something that gives a title to credit or confidence

also : qualification sense 3a

the applicant with the best credentials

2

credentials plural : testimonials or certified documents showing that a person is entitled to credit or has a right to exercise official power

a doctor's credentials

3

: certificate, diploma

credential

3 of 3

verb

credentialed also credentialled; credentialing also credentialling

transitive verb

: to furnish with credentials

… to credential adequate academic performance …

—K. Patricia Cross

journalists who have been credentialed by the Secret Service

Synonyms of credential

Noun

• qualification
• expertise
• capability
• ability

Examples of credential in a Sentence

Noun

My experience as a manager is my strongest credential.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Experts said the biggest green flag is when an influencer's credentials are easy to find on their profile. —ABC News, 9 May 2026

These results were championed as the country’s official victory over the virus and a decisive win for those advocating for digital vaccination credential systems. —Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026

Verb

There is a reason the NBA won't credential the author of this article, but approves random fanboy bloggers to cover games. —Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2026

Microsoft’s Elevate Academy has lofty goals to credential 20 million people in AI within two years by training them on AI basics as well as advanced machine learning courses. —Scott Francis, Forbes.com, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see credence

Noun

see credence

Verb

see credence

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1860, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for credential

• prudential
• sequential
• tangential
• torrential
• circumferential
• inconsequential
• consequential
• deferential
• existential
• exponential
• influential
• nonessential