Credibility
[ˌkrɛdəˈbɪlɪti]
Definitions
The quality of being trusted and believed in; believability.
[ˌkrɛdəˈbɪlɪti]
The quality of being trusted and believed in.
The witness's credibility was questioned due to inconsistencies in their testimony.
💡 Simply: Credibility is like having a reputation for being honest and trustworthy. If you have it, people believe what you say and think you're reliable. For example, if a doctor tells you to take medicine, you believe them because of their credibility.
👶 For kids: When someone is credible, it means you can trust them. Like if your mom tells you there's no more cookies, you can believe her!
More Examples
Building and maintaining credibility is essential for any leader.
The scientific study had a high degree of credibility because of the rigorous methodology.
How It's Used
"The politician's credibility was damaged by the scandal."
"A news source's credibility is vital for public trust."
"The company's credibility suffered after the product recall."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
Loss of credibility
The state of no longer being trusted or believed.
"The company suffered a loss of credibility after the scandal."
Gain credibility
To become more trusted or believed.
"The company worked hard to gain credibility in the market."
Question someone's credibility
To express doubt about someone's honesty or trustworthiness.
"The lawyer questioned the witness's credibility by pointing out inconsistencies in his story."
From Latin *credibilis* ('believable'), from *credere* ('to believe'). The word entered English in the 17th century and initially referred to something worthy of belief, later evolving to encompass the quality or ability of being believed.
The word has been in use since the 17th century, primarily in legal and philosophical contexts, and has evolved to include aspects of trust and believability across multiple fields.
Memory tip
Think of a 'credit' score – high credibility is like having good credit: people trust you.
Word Origin
"to believe"