credential

1 of 3

noun

cre·​den·​tial kri-ˈden(t)-shəl 

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

2 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

credential

3 of 3

adjective

: warranting credit or confidence

—used chiefly in the phrase credential letters

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

It’s been commonly accepted that American corporations and individuals pay for young associates with prestigious credentials an alarmingly high billable hour to complete non-legal tasks. — Logan Brown, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026

The 400 individual reporters who had credentials did not reapply. — ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

Verb

The legal agreement also compels TCH to fire multiple physicians who performed these procedures, revoke their privileges, and never hire or credential such doctors. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2026

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

see credence

Verb

see credence

Adjective

see credence

First Known Use

Noun

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1860, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for credential

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