credential

UK: /krɪˈdɛnʃəl/ US: /krɪˈdɛnʃəl/ ,(kri den′shəl)

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

cre•den•tial /krɪˈdɛnʃəl/   n. [countable]

Usually, credentials. [plural]
1. evidence of a person's identity, position, etc., usually in written form:
   No one is admitted without credentials.
2. anything that provides the basis for confidence, as in one's qualifications:
   His credentials for the new job are impressive.

See -cred-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

cre•den•tial  (kri den′shəl), n. 

1. Usually, credentials. 
2. evidence of authority, status, rights, entitlement to privileges, or the like, usually in written form:
   Only those with the proper credentials are admitted.
3. anything that provides the basis for confidence, belief, credit, etc.

v.t. 

4. to grant credentials to, esp. educational and professional ones:
   She has been credentialed to teach math.

adj. 

5. providing the basis for confidence, belief, credit, etc.

• Medieval Latin crēdenti(a) credence + -al¹
• late Middle English credencial 1425–75

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

credential / krɪˈdɛnʃəl/ noun

1. something that entitles a person to confidence, authority, etc
2. (plural) a letter or certificate giving evidence of the bearer's identity or competence

adjective

1. entitling one to confidence, authority, etc

Etymology: 16th Century: from Medieval Latin crēdentia credit, trust; see credence

creˈdentialled, creˈdentialed adjective