credit
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.an arrangement where you buy something now and pay for it later.
n.the provision of goods or services without immediate payment based on the trust that payment will be forthcoming.
Simple“I didn't have enough cash for the sofa, so I bought it on credit.”
In context“The retailer offered interest-free credit for the first twelve months to encourage customers to upgrade their home appliances.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
n.praise or respect given to someone for doing something.
n.public acknowledgment or praise given for an achievement, quality, or specific contribution.
Simple“She did all the work, but her manager took all the credit.”
In context“The lead scientist was careful to give credit to the junior researchers whose data collection had been vital to the breakthrough.”
Synonyms - 03 B1 Intermediate
n.a unit that shows you have completed a part of a college or university course.
n.a unit of study used to measure the progress of a student toward a degree or diploma.
Simple“You need forty more credits to graduate from this university.”
In context“Students may transfer credits earned during their semester abroad, provided the curriculum aligns with the university's core requirements.”
- 04 B1 Intermediate
n.the list of names of people who worked on a movie or TV show.
n.a list of the people who helped to make a film, play, or television programme, usually shown at the end.
Simple“We stayed until the end of the credits to see the name of the song.”
In context“The opening credits were stylised to match the film's noir aesthetic, featuring high-contrast typography and moody music.”
Synonyms - 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.money that is added to a bank account or a balance you can spend.
n.an entry in an account showing a sum received; the positive balance available in a financial system.
Simple“I have a ten-pound credit on my phone account.”
In context“The accounting department issued a credit to the client's account after the overpayment was identified during the monthly audit.”
Antonyms - 06 C1 Advanced
v.to say that someone is responsible for something good.
v.to attribute an achievement or a quality to someone. Often used in the passive voice with 'with'.
Simple“The architect is credited with designing some of the city's most famous buildings.”
In context“The administration is widely credited with having stabilised the economy during the initial stages of the fiscal crisis.”
UsageOften used as 'be credited with' followed by a noun or gerund.
- 07 C2 Proficiency
v.to believe that something is true.
v.to accept as true; to give credence to a statement or story.
Simple“It was hard to credit his story after he had lied so many times before.”
In context“The witness's account was so fantastical that the jury found it impossible to credit, despite his earnest delivery being seemingly sincere.”
Usage credit card
Borrowed from Middle French crédit (“belief, trust”), from Latin crēditum (“a loan, credit”), neuter of crēditus, past participle of crēdere (“to believe”). The verb is from the noun. Doublet of shraddha, creed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.