credence
An idea or statement has credence when people believe it's true or have some confidence in it.
When someone says something has credence, they usually mean that people think it might be true, but there's not enough proof to be sure. For instance, a rumor about a celebrity's secret life might start with people giving it credence, thinking maybe it's real even though we don't have any solid evidence. A new scientific theory might get some credence at first until further research shows if it really holds up.
How common is "credence"?
Word credence is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
noun
(uncountable) Acceptance of a belief or claim as true, especially on the basis of evidence.
Example: Based on the scientific data, I give credence to this hypothesis.
Real examples of "credence" in context
