# candidate

/ˈkændədeɪt/ (US) · /kˈændɪdˌeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/candidate
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. job or election

noun · CEFR B1

a person who is competing for a job or trying to be elected to a position.

For teachers: a person who seeks or is nominated for an office, position, or membership in an organisation.

- The company interviewed five candidates for the manager position.
- The presidential candidate spent the final week of the campaign touring the swing states to secure undecided voters.

### 2. exam taker

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a person who is taking an examination or test.

For teachers: an individual who is being formally assessed or examined, particularly in an academic or professional context.

- Candidates must show their ID cards before entering the exam hall.
- The invigilator reminded the candidates that any attempt to communicate during the examination would result in immediate disqualification.

### 3. likely choice

noun · CEFR B2

someone or something that seems suitable for a specific purpose or likely to experience something.

For teachers: a person or thing regarded as suitable for or likely to undergo a particular fate or treatment.

- This old bridge is a prime candidate for repair work next year.
- Given its history of financial instability, the small airline was considered a likely candidate for a takeover by a larger competitor.

### 4. advanced student

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

a student who has finished their classes but is still working on a final project like a dissertation.

For teachers: a student who has completed all requirements for a doctoral degree except for the dissertation.

- As a PhD candidate, she spends most of her time in the laboratory.
- The department provides a shared office space for doctoral candidates who are in the final stages of writing their dissertations.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'doctoral candidate'.

## Examples

- The company is interviewing each candidate for the manager position.
- After the first debate, the leading candidate saw a significant rise in the opinion polls.
- While the selection committee initially favored internal applicants, they eventually chose an outside candidate whose technical expertise far exceeded the local requirements.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.