credence

noun

cre·​dence ˈkrē-dᵊn(t)s 

1

a

: mental acceptance as true or real

give credence to gossip

b

: credibility sense 1

lends credence to the theory

an idea that is gaining credence

2

: credentials

—used in the phrase letters of credence

3

[Middle French, from Old Italian credenza] : a Renaissance sideboard used chiefly for valuable plate

4

: a small table where the bread and wine rest before consecration

Synonyms

• confidence
• faith
• stock
• trust

Choose the Right Synonym for credence

belief, faith, credence, credit mean assent to the truth of something offered for acceptance.

belief may or may not imply certitude in the believer.

my belief that I had caught all the errors

faith almost always implies certitude even where there is no evidence or proof.

an unshakable faith in God

credence suggests intellectual assent without implying anything about grounds for assent.

a theory now given credence by scientists

credit may imply assent on grounds other than direct proof.

gave full credit to the statement of a reputable witness

Examples of credence in a Sentence

The theory is gaining credence among scientists.

I'm afraid I don't put much credence in common gossip.

Recent Examples on the Web

What’s more, the honor by TIME lends credence to Soundly co-founder and CEO Blake Cadwell’s comments on the significance of Apple ‘s presence in the over-the-counter hearing aid market. —Steven Aquino, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Ventura’s claims of the violence the ‘Me & U’ singer lived with from Combs over their more than decade long relationship were given further credence in May when 2016 hotel security footage of a towel wearing Combs pummeling Ventura in the corridor of an upmarket LA hotel was made public. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2024

An analysis newly published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) exploring the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study, gives further credence to Winona’s bioidentical approach to HRT as the leading treatment for menopause symptoms. —Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 7 Aug. 2024

And it’s been given credence by Prenuvo clients like TV presenter Maria Menounos, whose scan revealed her stage II pancreatic cancer. —Maya Singer, Vogue, 23 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin credentia, from Latin credent-, credens, present participle of credere to believe, trust — more at creed

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing credence

• give credence to
• lend weight/credence/credibility
• letter of credence
• place/put little credence in

Kids Definition

credence

noun

cre·​dence ˈkrēd-ᵊn(t)s 

1

: a ready acceptance of something as true or real

give credence to gossip

2

: credibility sense 1

lends credence to the theory