What does "credit" mean?
Reliance on the truth of something said or done; faith; trust.
Credit
/ˈkɹɛdɪt/ name, noun, verb
name, noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Reliance on the truth of something said or done; faith; trust.
- Grammar: credit is listed as name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: acknowledgment, citation, accept, accept at face value.
- Useful contrasts: due, sheer amount, single component fault.
- Usage evidence: The police are really good at understanding "Someone stole my credit card and ran up a lot of charges." It's a lot harder to get them to buy into "Someone stole my magic sword."
How to use "credit"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "credit" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "credit" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "credit" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "credit" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "credit" is acting as name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "acknowledgment" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "credit", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Reliance on the truth of something said or done; faith; trust. countable, uncountable
"When Jonathan and the people heard these words they gave no credit into them, nor received them."
- 2 used in the phrase ‘to your credit’ in order to indicate an achievement deserving praise wordnet
- 3 Recognition, respect and admiration. uncountable
"I give you credit for owning up to your mistake."
- 4 recognition by a college or university that a course of studies has been successfully completed; typically measured in semester hours wordnet
- 5 Acknowledgement of a contribution, especially in the performing arts. countable
"She received a singing credit in last year's operetta."
Show 18 more definitions
- 6 an estimate, based on previous dealings, of a person's or an organization's ability to fulfill their financial commitments wordnet
- 7 Written titles and other information about the TV program or movie shown at the beginning and/or end of the TV program or movie. countable, plural-normally, uncountable
"They kissed, and then the credits rolled."
- 8 an entry on a list of persons who contributed to a film or written work wordnet
- 9 A privilege of delayed payment extended to a buyer or borrower on the seller's or lender's belief that what is given will be repaid. uncountable
"In view of your payment record, we are happy to extend further credit to you."
- 10 approval wordnet
- 11 The time given for payment for something sold on trust. countable, uncountable
"a long credit or a short credit"
- 12 a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage wordnet
- 13 A person's credit rating or creditworthiness, as represented by their history of borrowing and repayment (or non payment). US, uncountable
"What do you mean my credit is no good?"
- 14 arrangement for deferred payment for goods and services wordnet
- 15 An addition to certain accounts; the side of an account on which payments received are entered. countable, uncountable
- 16 money available for a client to borrow wordnet
- 17 A reduction in taxes owed, or a refund for excess taxes paid. countable, uncountable
"Didn't you know that the IRS will refund any excess payroll taxes that you paid if you use the 45(B) general business credit?"
- 18 an accounting entry acknowledging income or capital items wordnet
- 19 A source of value, distinction or honour. countable, uncountable
"That engineer is a credit to the team."
- 20 A unit of currency used in a fictional universe or timeframe. countable, uncountable
"To repair your star cruiser will cost 100,000 credits."
- 21 A nominal unit of value assigned outside of a currency system. countable, uncountable
"Would you like to play? I put in a dollar and I've got two credits left."
- 22 Recognition for having taken a course (class). uncountable
"If you do not come to class, you will not get credit for the class, regardless of how well you do on the final."
- 23 A course credit, a credit hour – used as measure if enough courses have been taken for graduation. countable
"Dude, I just need 3 more credits to graduate – I can take socio-linguistics of Swahili if I want."
Verb
- 1 To believe; to put credence in. transitive
"Someone said there were over 100,000 people there, but I can't credit that."
- 2 have trust in; trust in the truth or veracity of wordnet
- 3 To add to an account. transitive
"Credit accounts receivable with the amount of the invoice."
- 4 give someone credit for something wordnet
- 5 To acknowledge the contribution of. transitive
"I credit the town council with restoring the shopping district."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 ascribe an achievement to wordnet
- 7 To bring honour or repute upon; to do credit to; to raise the estimation of. transitive
"You credit the church as much by your government as you did the school formerly by your wit."
- 8 enter as credit wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"The police are really good at understanding "Someone stole my credit card and ran up a lot of charges." It's a lot harder to get them to buy into "Someone stole my magic sword.""
Common questions
What is a synonym for "credit"?
Common synonyms include: acknowledgment, citation, accept, accept at face value, accept for gospel, accept implicitly.
How do you use "credit" in a sentence?
The police are really good at understanding "Someone stole my credit card and ran up a lot of charges." It's a lot harder to get them to buy into "Someone stole my magic sword."
How do you pronounce "credit"?
Pronounced /ˈkɹɛdɪt/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French crédit (“belief, trust”), from Latin crēditum (“a loan, credit”), neuter of crēditus, past participle of crēdere (“to believe”). The verb is from the noun. Doublet of shraddha, creed.