Credibility

Definition

Credibility refers to the quality of being trusted, believed, or reliable. It is often used to describe individuals, sources, or information that can be depended on for truth or accuracy.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌkrɛdəˈbɪlɪti/
• Respelling: kreh-duh-BIL-i-tee

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌkrɛdəˈbɪlɪti/
• Respelling: kreh-duh-BIL-i-tee

The pronunciation of "credibility" is the same in both American and British English.

Etymology

The word "credibility" comes from the Latin word "credibilis," meaning "worthy of belief," derived from "credere," meaning "to believe." It entered the English language in the early 16th century and has since been used to describe trustworthiness or the ability to inspire confidence.

Derivatives

• Credible (adjective)
• Incredible (adjective)
• Credibly (adverb)
• Incredibility (noun)
• Credential (noun)

Synonyms

• Trustworthiness
• Reliability
• Believability

Antonyms

• Unreliability
• Incredibility
• Dishonesty

Usage

The term "credibility" is often used in journalism, law, and business to describe the trustworthiness of sources, individuals, or information. For example, in journalism, the credibility of a news source is crucial for public trust. In law, witnesses' credibility can significantly impact the outcome of a trial. Similarly, in business, companies rely on their credibility to build customer trust and loyalty.

Related Terms

• Authenticity: The quality of being genuine or real.
• Integrity: The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
• Veracity: Conformity to facts; accuracy.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• The quality of being trusted or believed: Describes the reliability or trustworthiness of a person, source, or information.
  • Example: "The witness’s testimony was crucial for establishing the credibility of the evidence."
• The power to inspire belief or confidence: Refers to the ability of something to convince others of its truth or accuracy.
  • Example: "The company worked hard to build its credibility with customers."