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Credibility: meaning, definitions and examples

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credibility

 

[ˌkrɛdɪˈbɪlɪti ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

in journalism

The quality of being trusted and believed in, especially because of being honest or showing good judgment.

Synonyms

authenticity, integrity, reliability, trustworthiness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
credibility

Suitable when talking about the quality of being trusted or believed in, often used in professional or authoritative contexts.

  • The scientist's credibility was questioned due to inconsistent data
  • The new policy aims to enhance the credibility of the institution
trustworthiness

Used to describe the quality of being dependable and deserving of trust, often in personal or professional relationships.

  • His trustworthiness made him an excellent choice for the confidential project
  • Through her actions, she has proven her trustworthiness time and again
reliability

Appropriate when discussing the dependability or consistency of someone or something, often in technical or service settings.

  • The reliability of the new software has been impressive
  • Customers value the reliability of our delivery service
authenticity

Best used when referring to the genuineness or originality of something, often applied to objects, art, or personal behavior.

  • The museum confirmed the authenticity of the ancient manuscript
  • People appreciate her authenticity because she is always genuine
integrity

Used to describe the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, commonly referred to in terms of personal character.

  • His integrity in business dealings earned him respect
  • She was known for her integrity and dedication to ethical journalism

Examples of usage

  • Her credibility as a reporter was questioned after she published a false story.
  • The witness's credibility was undermined when it was revealed that he had a history of lying.
  • Maintaining credibility is essential for a journalist to build a loyal readership.
  • Without credibility, a news source loses its integrity and trustworthiness.
  • Investigative journalists strive to establish credibility through thorough research and fact-checking.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'credibilis', meaning 'worthy of belief'.
  • It evolved through Old French before entering English in the late 15th century.

Psychology

  • People are more likely to believe claims from a source they perceive as credible.
  • Factors like expertise, trustworthiness, and presentation contribute to how credibility is assessed.

Media Studies

  • In today’s world, media literacy is crucial for discerning credible information from misinformation.
  • Fact-checking organizations play a vital role in maintaining credibility in news reporting.

Business

  • Companies with high credibility often have stronger relationships with customers and partners.
  • Credibility can be enhanced by transparency and consistent performance over time.

Literature

  • Authors often establish credibility through thorough research and relatable storytelling.
  • In fiction, a character's credibility can drive the plot, influencing how other characters perceive their actions.

Translations

Translations of the word "credibility" in other languages:

🇵🇹 credibilidade

🇮🇳 विश्वसनीयता

🇩🇪 Glaubwürdigkeit

🇮🇩 kredibilitas

🇺🇦 довіра

🇵🇱 wiarygodność

🇯🇵 信頼性 (shinraisei)

🇫🇷 crédibilité

🇪🇸 credibilidad

🇹🇷 güvenilirlik

🇰🇷 신뢰성 (sinroeseong)

🇸🇦 مصداقية (muṣdaqīyah)

🇨🇿 důvěryhodnost

🇸🇰 dôveryhodnosť

🇨🇳 可信度 (kěxìndù)

🇸🇮 verodostojnost

🇮🇸 trúverðugleiki

🇰🇿 сенімділік

🇬🇪 სანდოობა (sandooba)

🇦🇿 etibarlılıq

🇲🇽 credibilidad

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,071 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.