credit

/ˈkrɛdət/

/ˈkrɛdɪt/

Other forms: credited; credits; crediting

The word credit can have many meanings — from giving someone the recognition they deserve, to providing goods or services for payment that comes at a later date.

The meanings of credit don't end with borrowing money to pay at a later date or giving someone your approval. Colleges offer credits for each course in which their students enroll. A volunteer who raises thousands of dollars each year is a credit — or source of pride — to his charitable organization. Add an -s to the end of the word, and you have the scroll of names at the end of a movie.

Definitions of credit

1. noun

   an estimate, based on previous dealings, of a person's or an organization's ability to fulfill their financial commitments
   synonyms: credit rating

   type of:

   approximation, estimate, estimation, idea

   an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth
2. noun

   arrangement for deferred payment for goods and services
   synonyms: deferred payment

   antonyms:

   cash

   prompt payment for goods or services in currency or by check

   type of:

   payment

   a sum of money paid or a claim discharged
3. noun

   money available for a client to borrow
   types:

   cheap money

   credit available at low rates of interest

   export credit

   a credit opened by an importer with a bank in an exporter's country to finance an export operation

   import credit

   credit opened by an importer at a bank in his own country upon which an exporter may draw

   bank line, credit line, line, line of credit, personal credit line, personal line of credit

   the maximum credit that a customer is allowed

   commercial credit

   credit granted by a bank to a business concern for commercial purposes

   letter of credit

   a document issued by a bank that guarantees the payment of a customer's draft; substitutes the bank's credit for the customer's credit

   consumer credit

   a line of credit extended for personal or household use

   commercial letter of credit

   a letter of credit given to a business concern for commercial purposes

   traveler's letter of credit, traveller's letter of credit

   a letter of credit given to a traveler

   type of:

   assets

   anything of material value or usefulness that is owned by a person or company
4. noun

   an accounting entry acknowledging income or capital items
   synonyms: credit entry

   antonyms:

   debit

   an accounting entry acknowledging sums that are owing

   type of:

   accounting entry, entry, ledger entry

   a written record of a commercial transaction
5. verb

   accounting: enter as credit
   “We credit your account with $100”

   antonyms:

   debit

   enter as debit

   types:

   finance

   sell or provide on credit

   type of:

   account, calculate

   keep an account of
6. noun

   approval
   “he was given credit for his work”

   “give her credit for trying”

   synonyms: recognition

   types:

   commemoration, memorial, remembrance

   a recognition of meritorious service

   ovation, standing ovation

   enthusiastic recognition (especially one accompanied by loud applause)

   salutation, salute

   an act of honor or courteous recognition

   epitaph

   a summary statement of commemoration for a dead person

   festschrift

   a collection of writings published in honor of a scholar

   type of:

   approval, commendation

   a message expressing a favorable opinion
7. noun

   recognition by a college or university that a course of studies has been successfully completed; typically measured in semester hours
   synonyms: course credit

   types:

   credit hour, semester hour

   a unit of academic credit; one hour a week for an academic semester

   type of:

   attainment

   the act of achieving an aim
8. noun

   used in the phrase `to your credit' in order to indicate an achievement deserving praise
   “she already had several performances to her credit”

   type of:

   accomplishment, achievement

   the action of accomplishing something
9. verb

   ascribe an achievement to
   “She was not properly credited in the program”

   synonyms: accredit

   type of:

   ascribe, assign, attribute, impute

   attribute or credit to
10. noun

    a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage
    synonyms: acknowledgment, citation, cite, mention, quotation, reference

    types:

    photo credit

    a note acknowledging the source of a published photograph

    cross-index, cross-reference

    a reference at one place in a work to information at another place in the same work

    type of:

    annotation, notation, note

    a comment or instruction (usually added)
11. noun

    an entry on a list of persons who contributed to a film or written work
    “the credits were given at the end of the film”

    type of:

    title

    a general or descriptive heading for a section of a written work
12. verb

    give someone credit for something
    “We credited her for saving our jobs”

    type of:

    ascribe, assign, attribute, impute

    attribute or credit to
13. verb

    have trust in; trust in the truth or veracity of
    types:

    believe

    credit with veracity

    type of:

    bank, rely, swear, trust

    have confidence or faith in