candidate

noun

can·​di·​date ˈkan-də-ˌdāt 

ˈka-nə-,

-dət

1

a

: one that aspires to or is nominated or qualified for an office, membership, or award

a candidate for governor

a candidate for "Manager of the Year"

the best candidate for the job

b

: one likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for something specified

a candidate for surgery

2

: a student in the process of meeting final requirements for a degree

a PhD candidate

Did you know?

Roman Fashion Is Responsible for Candidate

When a man running for public office in ancient Rome greeted voters in the Forum, the center of judicial and public business, he wore a toga that had been whitened with chalk. As a result, the Latin word for someone seeking office came to be candidatus, meaning literally "clothed in white." Candidatus, in turn, comes from the adjective candidus, meaning "white." Candidatus was adopted into English as candidate, and since the 17th century that word has had an uncontested seat in the language.

Synonyms

• applicant
• applier
• aspirant
• campaigner
• contender
• expectant
• hopeful
• prospect
• seeker

Examples of candidate in a Sentence

Candidates can apply in person or send a resume.

a Ph.D. candidate in linguistics

The program has several doctoral candidates.

Recent Examples on the Web

After 12 years, candidates would need to take a break of four years or more before running again for city office. —Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024

Both candidates expressed confidence earlier this week as votes are still being counted. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 7 Nov. 2024

Whether one supports the Democratic candidate for president, Vice President Kamala Harris, or the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, each promises a different future for the U.S. and for Michigan. —Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024

Some of the most competitive Statehouse races in 2024 were right here in Central Indiana and the candidates who win the elections today could have an impact on how much power Republicans continue to hold in the Indiana General Assembly. —Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin candidatus, from candidatus clothed in white, from candidus white; from the white toga worn by candidates for office in ancient Rome

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

candidate

noun

can·​di·​date ˈkan-də-ˌdāt 

ˈkan-ə-,

-dət

: one who runs in an election contest or is proposed for an office or honor

Etymology

from Latin candidatus "candidate," from candidatus (adjective) "dressed in white," from candidus "shining white," from candēre "to be bright, shine" — related to candid, candle

Word Origin

In ancient Rome it was the custom for a person who wanted to be elected to public office to wear a toga that had been rubbed with chalk to make it white. The Latin word for "dressed in white" was candidatus. In time this word came to be used for the person himself, or the candidate. The Latin word candidatus came from candidus, meaning "bright, shining white." This in turn came from candēre, a verb meaning "to shine, be bright." Latin candēre has given us two other English words: candid, which at first meant "white, free from prejudice" but now usually means "honest, natural," and candle, the mass of wax with a wick that is burned to give off a bright light.