credible

IPA/ˈkredəbl/
KK[krˈɛdəbəl]IPA/ˈkredəbl/

credible — adjective

  • crediblepositive
  • more crediblecomparative
  • most crediblesuperlative

1. used to describe a claim, explanation, or person that appears honest and can the

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

used to describe a claim, explanation, or person that appears honest and can therefore be accepted as fact by others.

Example

The police found no credible proof that anyone had entered the building that night.

credible + proof / evidence — typical object collocation

Rachid's explanation for arriving late sounded credible, so the teacher accepted it.

sound + credible — linking-verb pattern

Common collocations
  • credible evidence
  • credible witness
  • credible explanation
  • credible threat
  • credible report
  • credible source
  • credible alibi
  • credible reason
Synonyms
  • believable

    the most direct synonym; interchangeable in most contexts

  • plausible

    suggests something is reasonable and likely true, but not yet proven

  • convincing

    emphasises that the explanation causes others to accept it fully

  • trustworthy

    more often applied to a person's character over time, not a single claim

Antonyms
  • unbelievable

    direct opposite; describes a claim that cannot be accepted as true

  • incredible

    stronger than 'unbelievable'; often used informally for emphasis

  • dubious

    suggests doubt about the truthfulness or reliability of something

Grammar Patterns

credible + noun (evidence / witness / explanation / threat)

be / seem / sound + credible

Usage Note

Often pairs with nouns related to statements and proof: evidence, witness, explanation, threat, report, or alibi. Focuses on whether a specific claim can be believed — not the same as 'trustworthy,' which describes a person's general character.

Common Mistakes

She is very credible — she always believes what people tell her.
She is very credulous
she always believes what people tell her.' — 'credible' describes something that deserves to be believed; 'credulous' describes a person who is too willing to believe others.

2. used to describe a plan, candidate, or choice that is realistic enough that peop

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

used to describe a plan, candidate, or choice that is realistic enough that people treat it as a serious possibility.

Example

Solar energy is now a credible alternative to natural gas in many parts of the world.

credible + alternative — typical collocation for realistic-option sense

After the interview, Jack seemed like a credible candidate for the manager role.

Common collocations
  • credible alternative
  • credible candidate
  • credible option
  • credible proposal
  • credible plan
  • credible goal
  • credible threat (in competitive/political contexts — a threat that could realistically be carried out)
Synonyms
  • viable

    emphasises that something can work in practice; very close in meaning

  • realistic

    highlights that the plan matches real-world limits and resources

  • feasible

    focuses on whether something can be done given available means

  • achievable

    stresses that a goal can be reached with effort

Antonyms
  • unrealistic

    describes a plan that does not fit real-world conditions

  • unworkable

    suggests a plan that cannot be put into practice at all

  • impractical

    describes an idea that is not sensible or sensible to carry out

Grammar Patterns

credible + noun (alternative / candidate / option / plan)

be / seem / become + credible

Usage Note

Typically combines with nouns for plans or candidates: alternative, candidate, option, proposal, plan, goal. Unlike sense 1, this sense is not about truthfulness — it is about practical likelihood and whether people will take the possibility seriously.

Common Mistakes

This is a credible chance of rain today.
There is a credible chance of rain today.
'credible' modifies the option or plan itself, not the probability of an event. Use 'credible' for options/choices, not for weather forecasts.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

These four adjectives all describe something that can be accepted as true, but with different shades. Credible is the broadest — it can refer to a person, a piece of evidence, or a threat, and carries a sense of deserving trust. Believable is the everyday synonym and works best for personal stories or excuses ('her excuse was barely believable'). Plausible adds the idea that something seems reasonable on the surface, even if it later turns out false ('a plausible scientific theory'). Convincing goes a step further — it means something persuades you fully, so you stop doubting ('a convincing argument that changed my vote'). Use credible when you want to stress that the source or evidence is reliable enough to be taken seriously in an official, investigative, or academic context.

believable ↗plausible ↗convincing ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • credibility (noun form)
  • credibility gap
  • street cred (informal short form)

Adverbs

  • highly credible
  • barely credible
  • scarcely credible
  • perfectly credible
  • wholly credible
  • equally credible

Phrases

  • find something credible
  • consider something credible
  • dismiss something as not credible

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'credible' comes from Latin 'credibilis', meaning 'worthy of belief', built from 'credere' (to believe, to trust). It entered English through Old French in the 14th century, originally carrying the same meaning it has today — something that deserves to be believed. The related word 'credulous' (too ready to believe) comes from the same Latin root but developed a different meaning over time, leading to the common learner error of mixing them up.