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Credibility: meaning, definitions and examples

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credibility

 

[ ˌkrɛdɪˈbɪlɪti ]

Noun
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.

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

Etymology

The word 'credibility' originates from the Latin word 'credibilis', which means 'worthy of belief'. The concept of credibility has been essential in human interactions throughout history, as trust and belief are fundamental to forming relationships and making informed decisions. In journalism, credibility is a cornerstone of ethical reporting, ensuring that information is accurate and trustworthy. Building credibility often requires consistency, honesty, and transparency in one's actions and words.

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.