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

But over the past year, that relationship has come under strain as Islamabad quietly clawed its way back to credibility. —Kyra Colah, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026

The most in-demand speakers are those who combine credibility with clarity, commercial relevance and emotional intelligence. —Jack Hayes, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

The current leaders, however, have positioned themselves as saviors of the Islamic Republic, and with that credibility could institute certain changes that are widely known to be necessary and desirable, but that would have looked counterrevolutionary if proposed by anyone else. —Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026

Warsh has built a 15-year argument on one premise—that inflation is a choice, and that the Fed forfeited its credibility by pretending otherwise. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 17 June 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