Candidate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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candidate

[หˆkรฆndษชdeษชt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

job application

A person who applies for a job or is nominated for election.

Synonyms

applicant, contender, nominee.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
candidate

Generally used in the context of someone who is being considered for a job, position, or award.

  • She is a strong candidate for the manager position.
  • The university is promoting him as a candidate for the Nobel Prize.
applicant

Most commonly used to refer to someone who has formally applied for a job or a place in an organization or institution.

  • All applicants must submit their resumes by Friday.
  • The university received over 10,000 applicants this year.
nominee

Typically used to describe someone who has been officially suggested or proposed for a position, award, or honor.

  • She is a nominee for the Best Actress award.
  • The board announced their nominee for the director position.
contender

Usually refers to someone competing in sports, competitions, or for a title, often implying a strong chance of winning.

  • He is a leading contender for the championship title.
  • The new film is a serious contender for the Best Picture award.

Examples of usage

  • He is a strong candidate for the position.
  • She was chosen as the candidate for the upcoming election.
Context #2 | Noun

political context

A person who is selected by a political party to run for a public office.

Synonyms

contender, hopeful, nominee.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
candidate

When referring to someone who is being considered for a position, job, or honor.

  • She is a strong candidate for the manager position
  • They reviewed all the candidates for the scholarship
contender

When talking about someone who is competing, especially in a competition or contest.

  • He is a top contender in the race
  • The team is one of the main contenders for the championship
hopeful

When referring to someone who is optimistic about achieving a particular goal or position.

  • Many hopefuls attended the audition
  • The aspiring singer is a hopeful in the talent show
nominee

When referring to someone who has been officially proposed for an award or an election.

  • She is the nominee for the Best Actress award
  • The party announced their nominee for the upcoming election

Examples of usage

  • The candidate promised to improve healthcare if elected.
  • They debated the issues between the two candidates.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Political Science

  • In modern democracies, candidates often represent political parties and must campaign to win support from voters.
  • Candidates are typically required to meet specific qualifications, such as age or residency, depending on the role they seek.

Education

  • In academic contexts, 'candidate' can refer to a student who has met certain criteria and is being considered for graduation or an award.
  • Graduate students may be called candidates once they have completed all coursework and are working on their thesis or dissertation.

Psychology

  • Candidates often employ strategies such as public speaking and networking to enhance their chance of being selected.
  • Studies show that body language, presentation style, and confidence can significantly impact how well a candidate is received during interviews.

Pop Culture

  • Reality TV shows like 'The Apprentice' revolve around candidates competing for a job opportunity, showcasing various strategies and personalities.
  • In popular literature and films, characters often become candidates for heroism or leadership, representing the struggle for acceptance and success.

Origin of 'candidate'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'candidatus,' which means 'clothed in white,' as Roman politicians wore white togas when campaigning.
  • In ancient Rome, the color white represented purity and honesty, which were desirable traits for someone seeking office.

The word 'candidate' originated from the Latin word 'candidatus', which means 'clothed in white'. In ancient Rome, candidates for public office would wear white togas to symbolize purity and honesty. Over time, the word evolved to refer to individuals seeking office or job positions through formal applications or nominations.


See also: candidacy, candidiasis, candidly.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,886, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.