candidate
KAN-dih-duht
Candidate (noun) means a person seeking to be elected or appointed to a position. Example: “Three candidates are running for city council this year.”
noun
1
A person seeking to be elected or appointed to a position.
"Three candidates are running for city council this year."
"The hiring manager interviewed five candidates for the role."
"Each candidate gave a short speech before the members voted for a new chairperson."
2
Someone or something well suited for a particular purpose or outcome.
"This old barn is a prime candidate for demolition."
"With its strong signal and low price, this phone is a good candidate for a first mobile."
"Dry, sunny weather makes tomorrow a strong candidate for our trip to the coast."
How to use candidate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or something) up for selection, whether for a job, election, or other purpose.
Common pairings
leading candidate
candidate for office
job candidate
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Word forms
- Plural
- candidates
- Third person singular
- candidates
- Past tense
- candidated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Three _____ are running for city council this year.
Etymology
From Latin candidatus, "one dressed in white" — Roman office-seekers traditionally wore white togas.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for candidate
See all rhymes for candidate →Frequently asked questions
What does “candidate” mean?
The word “candidate” means a person seeking to be elected or appointed to a position. In plain terms, someone (or something) up for selection, whether for a job, election, or other purpose.
How do you pronounce “candidate”?
“Candidate” is pronounced KAN-dih-duht (/ˈkæn.dɪ.dɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “candidate” in a sentence?
Here is “candidate” used in a sentence: “Three candidates are running for city council this year.”
What part of speech is “candidate”?
“Candidate” is a noun.
Where does the word “candidate” come from?
The word “candidate” comes from Latin. From Latin candidatus, "one dressed in white" — Roman office-seekers traditionally wore white togas.
Is “candidate” a common word?
“Candidate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “candidate” have?
“Candidate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person seeking to be elected or appointed to a position.
What are the types of candidate?
The word applies in several settings. In politics, a candidate stands for election to office. In hiring, a job candidate applies for a role. In education, a candidate sits an exam or works toward a degree. There are also presidential, parliamentary, and local candidates, along with write-in and independent ones.
What is the difference between a candidate and a nominee?
A candidate is anyone seeking a position or standing for election. A nominee is a candidate who has been formally chosen or put forward, often to represent a party or to receive an award. Every nominee starts as a candidate, but a candidate becomes a nominee only once officially selected.
What is the difference between a candidate and an applicant?
The terms overlap in hiring but differ in emphasis. An applicant is anyone who has applied for a role. A candidate is usually an applicant taken seriously and considered for it, often after early screening. In short, all candidates applied, but not every applicant becomes a genuine candidate for the job.
What is an example of a candidate?
A politician running for mayor is a candidate. So is a person interviewing for a teaching job, a student registered to take a qualifying exam, or someone shortlisted for an award. In each case, the candidate is seeking to be elected, appointed, or selected for a particular position.
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