Explanation at your level:
If something is credible, it is true. You can believe it. If a friend tells you a story and you think it is real, the story is credible. If it sounds like a lie, it is not credible.
We use credible to talk about news or people. A credible person tells the truth. A credible report has good facts. It is a very useful word when you want to say that you trust information.
When you are doing research, you need credible sources. This means the information comes from a place that checks facts. If you hear a rumor, you might ask, 'Is that a credible source?' It helps you avoid believing fake news.
In formal writing or debates, credible is essential. Instead of saying 'I don't believe you,' you might say, 'Your argument lacks credible evidence.' It makes your point sound more professional and objective. It is often used with nouns like 'threat,' 'witness,' or 'alternative.'
The nuance of credible lies in its reliance on logic and evidence. It is not merely about whether something is true, but whether it is plausible enough to warrant our confidence. In academic discourse, a credible hypothesis is one that stands up to scrutiny. It distinguishes between mere opinion and substantiated fact, making it a cornerstone of critical thinking.
At the mastery level, credible intersects with the concept of 'epistemic authority.' We evaluate the credibility of institutions and individuals based on historical performance and logical consistency. It is a word that carries the weight of intellectual rigor. Whether discussing the credibility of a witness in a high-stakes trial or the credibility of a geopolitical analysis, the word implies a standard of proof that is universally recognized in professional and scholarly circles.
30초 단어
- Credible means believable or trustworthy.
- It comes from the Latin word for 'to believe'.
- Commonly used to describe evidence, witnesses, and sources.
- The noun form is 'credibility'.
When we call something credible, we are saying it passes the test of believability. Think of it as the 'truth-o-meter' for information. If a witness gives a credible account, it means their story is logical, consistent, and matches the facts we know.
It is a vital word in our modern world, especially when we are scrolling through news or social media. We constantly ask ourselves, 'Is this source credible?' By using this word, you are signaling that you value evidence over rumors. It is not just about being 'true'; it is about being worthy of our trust.
The word credible has a deep history rooted in Latin. It comes from the verb credere, which means 'to believe' or 'to trust.' This is the same root that gave us the word credit—because when you give someone credit, you are essentially saying you trust them to pay you back.
It entered Middle English in the 15th century, evolving from the Old French credible. Over time, it moved away from purely religious or financial contexts to become the standard way we describe the reliability of information, people, and arguments in everyday life.
You will hear credible most often in professional, legal, or academic settings. It is a high-register word that sounds much more precise than just saying 'believable.' Common pairings include credible threat, credible witness, and credible evidence.
While it is perfectly fine to use in casual conversation, it carries a sense of seriousness. If you are talking to a friend about a rumor, saying 'That doesn't sound credible' sounds a bit more intellectual and measured than saying 'That sounds fake.'
While credible itself isn't the star of many idioms, it is often used in phrases that relate to trust. For example: 'Beyond a shadow of a doubt' implies that evidence is so credible that no doubt remains. Another is 'Take it with a grain of salt', which is the exact opposite of finding something credible.
You might also hear 'Give someone the benefit of the doubt', which means we are choosing to treat someone as credible even if we aren't 100% sure. These expressions help us navigate how much we should trust the information coming our way.
Credible is an adjective. It does not have a plural form. To make it negative, we add the prefix 'in-' to get incredible—though note that incredible has shifted in meaning to also mean 'amazing.' For the true negative, use incredible (in the literal sense) or unbelievable.
Pronunciation: In the UK, it is ˈkred.ə.bəl. In the US, it is ˈkred.ə.bəl. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with edible, legible, and audible, which all share that '-ible' suffix denoting capability.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'creed', which is a set of beliefs.
Pronunciation Guide
KRED-uh-bull
KRED-uh-bull
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'd' as 't'
- Stressing the second syllable
- Dropping the 'b' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Common in news
Useful for formal essays
Sounds professional
Common in debates
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Adjective placement
The credible report.
Prefixes
In- + credible.
Linking verbs
It seems credible.
Examples by Level
The story is credible.
The story / is / believable.
Subject + verb + adjective.
Is he credible?
Can I / trust / him?
Question form.
That is not credible.
That / is / not / true.
Negative form.
I need a credible reason.
I need / a / good / reason.
Adjective before noun.
Her report is credible.
Her / report / is / real.
Possessive adjective.
They are credible people.
They / are / honest / people.
Plural subject.
It sounds credible.
It / sounds / believable.
Linking verb.
Find a credible source.
Find / a / good / source.
Imperative.
The police found a credible witness.
Her excuse was not very credible.
We need credible evidence to win.
Is this website credible?
The theory seems credible to me.
He gave a credible explanation.
That is a credible threat.
They are a credible organization.
The scientist presented a credible argument.
I don't think his story is entirely credible.
We must rely on credible information only.
The company has a credible plan for growth.
She is a highly credible expert in her field.
There is no credible proof for that claim.
The witness was deemed credible by the jury.
It is a credible alternative to the current system.
The report lacks a credible foundation.
Critics questioned the credibility of the data.
He made a credible attempt to solve the problem.
The government faces a credible threat of protest.
We need to establish a credible timeline.
Her testimony was the most credible one heard.
There is a credible risk of failure.
The candidate failed to provide a credible vision.
The journalist maintained a credible distance from the subject.
His defense was based on a credible interpretation of the law.
The findings lack the credible backing of peer review.
She offered a credible rebuttal to the accusations.
The strategy requires a credible commitment from all parties.
It is a credible assertion, though hard to verify.
The narrative is credible despite the unusual circumstances.
We must ensure the process remains credible.
The author’s credibility is undermined by his lack of sources.
His testimony provided a credible account of the events.
The institution has lost its credibility in the eyes of the public.
A credible threat to the ecosystem was identified.
The evidence is not credible enough to convict.
She is a credible voice in the debate on climate change.
The theory is credible within the framework of modern physics.
They are working to restore the credibility of the brand.
동의어
반의어
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"beyond a shadow of a doubt"
completely certain
The evidence is credible beyond a shadow of a doubt.
formal"take with a grain of salt"
to be skeptical
Take his story with a grain of salt; it isn't credible.
casual"the benefit of the doubt"
trusting someone despite uncertainty
I gave him the benefit of the doubt.
neutral"straight from the horse's mouth"
from a credible source
I heard it from the horse's mouth.
casual"hold water"
to be logical/credible
His argument doesn't hold water.
neutralEasily Confused
Similar sound
Credulous means gullible; credible means believable.
A credulous person believes everything; a credible story is worth believing.
Opposite prefix
Incredible means amazing or unbelievable.
The story was credible, but the performance was incredible.
Same root
Credit is a noun/verb; credible is an adjective.
He deserves credit for his credible work.
Similar meaning
Plausible means logical; credible means trustworthy.
It is plausible, but is it credible?
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + credible
The report is credible.
Subject + provides + credible + evidence
He provides credible evidence.
It is + credible + to + verb
It is credible to assume this.
Subject + remains + credible
The witness remains credible.
Despite + noun, + subject + is + credible
Despite the rumors, he is credible.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
관련
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
Incredible now usually means 'amazing'.
Credulous is the person; credible is the thing.
Credibility is a noun.
Redundant/wrong usage.
Spelling rule -ible.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a bank (credit) where the teller is the only one you trust (credible).
Professional Edge
Use 'credible' instead of 'good' when discussing arguments.
Media Literacy
Use this word when discussing fake news.
Suffix Rule
-ible usually means 'capable of'.
Clear Speech
Don't swallow the 'd' sounds.
Incredible Trap
Remember that 'incredible' is usually a compliment now.
Root Word
It shares a root with 'creed' (a belief system).
Flashcards
Pair 'credible' with 'evidence' and 'source'.
Legal Context
In court, a 'credible witness' is everything.
Noun vs Adjective
Credible (adj) vs Credibility (noun).
Memorize It
Mnemonic
CRED-ible: You give them CREDIT because they are believable.
Visual Association
A judge nodding at a witness who is speaking clearly.
Word Web
챌린지
Find one news article today and check if the source is credible.
어원
Latin
Original meaning: To believe
문화적 맥락
None
Used heavily in legal and journalistic contexts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Journalism
- credible source
- credible report
- credible claim
Law
- credible witness
- credible testimony
- credible evidence
Business
- credible plan
- credible strategy
- credible growth
Academic
- credible argument
- credible research
- credible hypothesis
Conversation Starters
"What makes a news source credible to you?"
"Can you think of a time someone told you an incredible story?"
"Why is it important to have credible witnesses in court?"
"Do you think social media makes it harder to find credible information?"
"How can a company build a credible reputation?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had to decide if information was credible.
Describe a person you know who is very credible.
Why do you think people believe things that are not credible?
How do you check if a website is credible?
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문Not exactly; it means it is *believable* based on evidence.
Yes, a credible person is someone who is honest and reliable.
Incredible or implausible.
It is more formal than 'believable'.
Subject + is + credible.
Yes, both come from the Latin 'credere' (to believe).
Usually for information, reports, or plans.
Yes, especially in professional writing.
셀프 테스트
The story is ___.
Credible means believable.
Which means believable?
Credible is the definition of believable.
A credible source is one you can trust.
Credible means worthy of trust.
Word
뜻
They are synonyms.
This is not credible.
We need ___ evidence.
Evidence is usually described as credible.
Credible and incredible mean the same thing.
Incredible often means amazing.
What is the noun form?
Credibility is the noun.
The witness is credible.
The argument lacks ___.
Needs a noun.
점수: /10
Summary
If something is credible, it is backed by enough evidence to be worth your trust.
- Credible means believable or trustworthy.
- It comes from the Latin word for 'to believe'.
- Commonly used to describe evidence, witnesses, and sources.
- The noun form is 'credibility'.
Memory Palace
Visualize a bank (credit) where the teller is the only one you trust (credible).
Professional Edge
Use 'credible' instead of 'good' when discussing arguments.
Media Literacy
Use this word when discussing fake news.
Suffix Rule
-ible usually means 'capable of'.
예시
I don't find his excuse about the dog eating his homework very credible.
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