# credential

/kɹəˈdɛnʃəɫ/ (US) · /kɹɪdˈɛnʃəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/credential
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

a document or piece of information that proves you have a certain skill, job, or right to be in a place. You use this to show you are who you say you are or that you are qualified for a task.

For teachers: a document or piece of information that serves as proof of a person's identity, qualifications, or authority. Often used in the plural to refer to the set of data required for digital access.

## Examples

- You need to show your driver's license as a credential.
- The hiring manager asked for her academic credentials to verify that she had completed the required degree.
- In the digital age, managing multiple sets of login credentials across various platforms has become a significant security challenge for both individual users and corporate IT departments.

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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.