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credibility

kred-uh-BIL-i-tee /ˌkrɛdəˈbɪlɪti/

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formal

The quality of being trusted and believed in.

Essential for journalists, academics, and anyone seeking to influence or inform, it's built on a foundation of accuracy, honesty, and expertise.

The story behind the word. The word 'credibility' comes from the Latin word 'credere', meaning 'to believe' or 'to trust'. This root also gives us words like 'credit' and 'creed'. 'Credibility' entered English in the late 16th century, referring to the quality of being believable or worthy of belief. It's fundamentally about whether someone or something can be trusted to be true or accurate, a cornerstone of journalism and any field requiring public trust.

Word relationships

trustworthiness: Very close, often used interchangeably, but 'credibility' can also imply believability based on evidence or expertise.
reliability: The quality of being consistently good in quality or performance, or able to be relied on.
authority: The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience, often derived from expertise or position.

discredit: To harm the good reputation of someone or something.
unreliability: The state of not being able to be trusted or depended on.

Commonly confused with

reputation: A 'reputation' is the general opinion that people have about someone or something. 'Credibility' is specifically about being believable and trustworthy, which contributes to a good reputation but is a more specific quality.

Word family

credible (adj): Able to be believed; convincing.
credibly (adv): In a way that is able to be believed.

Collocations

lose credibility
gain credibility
establish credibility
lack credibility
high credibility

Example sentences

"A journalist's credibility is their most valuable asset; once lost, it's incredibly difficult to regain." In journalism.
"The witness's testimony lacked credibility due to several inconsistencies in their account." Referring to a source.
"To establish credibility in the field, she published several peer-reviewed articles and presented at major conferences." In a professional context.

Memory hook

Think of 'CREDIT' as trust. If you have 'credibility', people give you 'credit' for being truthful. Believe-ability

When not to use

Do not use 'credibility' for something that is merely popular or well-known without implying trustworthiness or reliability.

Fun facts

The phrase 'credibility gap' became popular during the Vietnam War to describe the public's distrust of official statements.