Essential Word Roots: Believe It or Not: Cred

You can believe in this list of words derived from the Latin root cred, meaning "to believe."
18 words 22652 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. accreditation
    the act of granting official approval or recognition
    Admissions representatives allegedly lied about graduate employment and failed to disclose that some programs lacked the accreditation required by licensing boards. Washington Post (Jan 4, 2019)
  2. accredited
    given official approval to act
    The goal is to reward dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled teachers from state-approved or accredited schools. Washington Times (Feb 10, 2019)
  3. credence
    the mental attitude that something is believable
    Threats from Amazon that it will halt growth in Seattle in favor of other offices lend credence to those concerns. The Guardian (May 14, 2018)
  4. credential
    a document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts
    I think of how there is no million-dollar defense, no dream team with briefcases filled with credentials. The Freedom Writers Diary
  5. credenza
    a flat-topped piece of furniture for storage
    When you walk into an Ori studio, you see a fully outfitted kitchen on one wall, table and chairs, couch and an elegant wood credenza with shelves, drawers and TV screen. Washington Post (Dec 4, 2017)
  6. credibility
    the quality of being believable or trustworthy
    The scientific consensus serves as a key measure of credibility, and the pledge encourages pledge-takers to recognize the opinions of experts as more likely to be true when the facts are disputed. Scientific American (Jul 5, 2018)
  7. credible
    appearing to merit belief or acceptance
    Investigators found the woman and the four witnesses more credible, based on a preponderance of the evidence, according to the report. Science Magazine (Aug 3, 2018)
  8. credit
    arrangement for deferred payment for goods and services
    He never pressed his clients, but when the bill became too large, Lee cut off credit. Cannery Row
  9. creditor
    a person to whom money is owed by a debtor
    The national debt is the government’s formal commitment to repay its creditors. Salon (Feb 19, 2019)
  10. credo
    any system of principles or beliefs
    The main axiom of progressive education—to learn by doing—was central to her credo. Time (Oct 3, 2017)
  11. credulous
    showing a lack of judgment or experience
    By late 2017, credulous investors were willing to buy cryptorelated investments that weren’t even pretending to be a store of value. Wall Street Journal (Dec 14, 2018)
  12. creed
    the written body of teachings of a religious group
    Thus the religious practice of repeatedly stating beliefs as part of prayers — as in the Catholic Mass — may enhance devotion to a creed. New York Times (Feb 1, 2019)
  13. discredit
    damage the reputation of
    I knew that this was jealousy, intended to discredit and destroy me as a tennis player, and it bothered me and made me angry. Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography
  14. incredible
    amazing; extraordinarily good or great
    It seemed so incredible to me, so outrageously absurd. The Chosen
  15. incredulity
    doubt about the truth of something
    When the subjects were told the true nature of the study, the researchers write, the reactions ranged from incredulity to astonishment. New York Times (Jan 28, 2015)
  16. incredulous
    not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
    Malcolm sounded incredulous, and he felt it too: Who on earth would want to hurt the nuns, or break their windows? The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage
  17. miscreant
    a person without moral scruples
    The detective divided his motley collection of miscreants into categories of expertise: pickpockets here, burglars there. New York Times (Feb 9, 2018)
    mis- (bad, wrong) + credere (to believe)
    In the 14th century, miscreant was used as an adjective to describe someone who was pagan or non-believing. In the 16th century, it came into use as a noun in the more secular sense of "scoundrel" or "villain." Today, both forms of the word are used for lawless or immoral people or actions.
  18. recreant
    a disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause
    False recreant, you left me in peril of death to help a yelping woman, and by my knightly vow you shall pay dearly for it. Morris, Charles
    re- (again, back) + credere (to believe)
    As an adjective, this word originally meant “defeated” or “admitting defeat,” although these days it is typically used to mean “disloyal” or “cowardly.” The English noun dates back to the 15th century, when it was used for someone who had deserted a cause or belief system.
Created on Mon Jan 28 13:07:47 EST 2019 (updated Wed Feb 20 15:48:11 EST 2019)

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