Credibility
noun /ˌkrɛdɪˈbɪlɪti/ — The quality of being believable — the trust that makes an audience receive what you say.
Definition
The quality of being trusted and believed in; the quality of being convincing or believable; Aristotle's ethos — the persuasive power of character.
Beyond the definition
Credibility is the prerequisite for persuasion — without it, the best argument falls on deaf ears. It is earned through consistency, through demonstrated knowledge, through the reputation that precedes you. Credibility is the long-form work of persuasion.
Origin & history
From Latin credibilis — worthy of belief (from credere: to believe). Worth-of-belief — credibility is the quality that makes belief appropriate.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She'd built her credibility over years; she'd also seen it destroyed in a week.
Credibility is the invisible foundation of every argument — when it's solid, no one notices; when it's gone, nothing works.
The credibility gap: the distance between what an institution says and what the world observes.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Credibility” when the meaning fits your context: The quality of being trusted and believed in; the quality of being convincing or believable; Aristotle's ethos — the persuasive power of character.
Synonyms
trustworthiness, reliability, believability, authority
Antonyms
incredibility, untrustworthiness, unreliability
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Experienced Team Leadership
An experienced leader reviews a map and architectural model with colleagues, their posture composed and thoughtful at a meeting table.
The leader’s composed demeanor and focus on an ordered, methodical plan build their credibility. Their team's attentive listening demonstrates the trust placed in their character and experience, showcasing the persuasive power of a leader whose decisions are clearly based on thoughtful, expert preparation.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Credibility" mean?
Credibility is noun meaning: The quality of being believable — the trust that makes an audience receive what you say.. The quality of being trusted and believed in; the quality of being convincing or believable; Aristotle's ethos — the persuasive power of character.
Where does the word "Credibility" come from?
From Latin credibilis — worthy of belief (from credere: to believe). Worth-of-belief — credibility is the quality that makes belief appropriate.