# creed

/ˈkɹid/ (US) · /kɹˈiːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/creed
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. religious belief

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a formal statement of religious faith or the shared beliefs of a church.

For teachers: a formal, authoritative statement of religious doctrine or a confession of faith intended for public use.

- The Nicene Creed is a famous statement of faith used in many Christian churches.
- The theologian argued that the ancient creed provided a necessary framework for maintaining doctrinal unity across the diverse congregations.

Usage: Often used with the definite article when referring to a specific historical document.

### 2. guiding principles

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a set of personal or political beliefs that guide how you act.

For teachers: a system of principles or opinions that governs an individual's or group's conduct and philosophy.

- The company's creed focuses on honesty and helping the local community.
- He lived by a strict personal creed that valued intellectual integrity above professional advancement or social popularity.

Teaching tip: In modern contexts, this is frequently used in professional or political settings to describe a 'mission statement' or core values.

## Examples

- The company's creed focuses on honesty and hard work.
- People of every race and creed are welcome to join the community center's programs.
- The nation was founded on a democratic creed that emphasizes individual liberty and the equal protection of all citizens under the law.

---

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.