candidate

UK: /ˈkændɪdeɪt/

US: /ˈkændɪˌdeɪt, -dɪt/

US: (n. kan′di dāt′, -dit; v. kan′di dāt′)

Inflections of 'candidate' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

candidates

v 3rd person singular

candidating

v pres p

candidated

v past

candidated

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

can•di•date /ˈkændɪˌdeɪt, -dɪt/   n. [countable]

1. a person who seeks a political office, etc.:
   the seven presidential candidates.
2. a person deserving of a certain fate:
   a candidate for the poorhouse.
3. Education a student studying for a degree:
   a bachelor of arts candidate.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

can•di•date  (n. kan′di dāt′, -dit;v. kan′di dāt′), n., v., -dat•ed, -dat•ing. 
n. 

1. a person who seeks an office, honor, etc.:
   a candidate for governor.
2. a person who is selected by others as a contestant for an office, honor, etc.
3. a person who is deserving of or seems destined for a certain end or fate:
   Such a reckless spender is a candidate for the poorhouse.
4. Education a student studying for a degree:
   Candidates for the B.A. will have to meet certain minimum requirements.

v.i. 

5. Puritanism, Religion to become a candidate for service as a new minister of a church;
   preach before a congregation that is seeking a new minister.

• Latin candidātus clothed in white (adjective, adjectival), candidate for office (noun, nominal, in reference to the white togas worn by those seeking office). See candid, -ate¹
• 1605–15

can•di•da•cy  (kan′di də sē); [Chiefly Brit.,] can•di•da•ture  (kan′di də chər), can′di•date•ship′, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

candidate / ˈkændɪˌdeɪt -dɪt/ noun

1. a person seeking or nominated for election to a position of authority or honour or selection for a job, promotion, etc
2. a person taking an examination or test
3. a person or thing regarded as suitable or likely for a particular fate or position: this wine is a candidate for his cellar

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin candidātus clothed in white (because in ancient Rome a candidate wore a white toga), from candidus white

candidacy / ˈkændɪdəsɪ/, candidature / ˈkændɪdətʃə/, ˈcandidateˌship noun