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

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

On a recent humid Saturday, a pair of newcomers waited as a bouncer inspected their credentials. —Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 11 July 2025

During today’s Capricorn full moon, a professional crisis highlights your leadership credentials. —Usa Today, USA Today, 10 July 2025

Verb

The All England Club might not credential me for even suggesting it, or even thinking about it. —Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025

Candidates — or their committees — can't credential challengers. —Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press, 30 Oct. 2024

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
• evidential
• existential
• exponential
• influential