Credit: Meaning, Usage & Example Sentences

Meaning 1：to believe (credit)

credit 🔊

/ˈkredɪt/

vt.

To think that something is true or good, often without needing strong proof.

Credit meaning illustrated: person listening and believing with a trusting expression

to believe 🔊

➕

/tə bɪˈliːv/

vt.

To accept something as true or valid, often based on trust or the reputation of the source, rather than requiring extensive proof at that moment.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'credere' (to believe, trust). Root 'cred-' means belief.

💡 Mnemonic

CREDit cards require you to be CREDible (trustworthy) to get CREDited with a loan.

📖 Example

In the science project, we credit the new theory because it explains our observations perfectly. 🔊 In the context of our science project, we believe the new theory to be valid since it aligns perfectly with what we have observed.

🔗 Collocations

credit someone with something – to believe someone is responsible for or capable of something

credit a theory – to accept a theory as plausible or true

be credited to – to be believed to be caused by or attributed to

🔄 Synonyms

believe (vt.) – to accept something as true or real

trust (vt.) – to have confidence in the truth, reliability, or ability of someone or something

accept (vt.) – to receive or take something as valid or true

🚫 Antonyms

doubt (vt.) – to feel uncertain about or question the truth of something

disbelieve (vt.) – to refuse to believe or accept something as true

reject (vt.) – to dismiss as untrue or invalid

🌱 Derivatives

credible (adj.) – able to be believed; trustworthy

incredible (adj.) – impossible or very difficult to believe

creditor (n.) – a person or company to whom money is owed

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'credit' originates from Latin 'credere' (to believe, trust). It entered English via French 'crédit'. Initially used in commerce to signify trust in someone's ability to repay, its meaning broadened to include belief in ideas and acknowledgment.