credibility

noun

cred·​i·​bil·​i·​ty ˌkre-də-ˈbi-lə-tē 

1

: the quality or power of inspiring belief

an account lacking in credibility

2

: capacity for belief

Her account exceeds credibility.

Examples of credibility in a Sentence

The new evidence lends credibility to their theory.

The scandal undermined her credibility as an honest politician.

In this instance, the lawyer's job is to make the jury doubt the witness's credibility.

Recent Examples on the Web

The initial conviction was overturned in 2024 after an appeals court ruled the jury had been allowed to hear contested portions of a police interrogation of Sophia Negroponte and testimony from a prosecution witness questioning her credibility. —ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026

Advertisement With the case stalled, investigators decided to use polygraph examinations to test the credibility of their statements. —Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 6 Mar. 2026

Most noticeably, his 3-point shooting accuracy has risen above 37% in Chicago, a crucial improvement to establish his credibility as a true backcourt threat. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026

That co-conspirator’s credibility — the prime target of the defense in its pursuit of a Franks hearing — may become a central theme of an eventual trial. —Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see credible

First Known Use

circa 1572, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing credibility

• credibility gap
• lend weight/credence/credibility

Rhymes for credibility

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility
• feasibility

Kids Definition

credibility

noun

cred·​i·​bil·​i·​ty ˌkred-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

1

: the quality or power of inspiring belief

a story without much credibility

2

: capacity for belief

an excuse beyond credibility