noun

credence

KREE-duhns

noun

Acceptance of something as true or trustworthy, usually because there is evidence for it.

"The witness statement gave credence to her version of events."

"Scientists gave little credence to the rumour until the data came in."

How to Use Credence

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTreating something as believable or worth trusting.

Common mistake

Almost always used with "give" or "lend" — you "give credence to" an idea, you don't just "have credence".

Common pairings

give credence to lend credence to gain credence

credenced past tense, credences plural, credences singular

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The witness statement gave _____ to her version of events.

From Old French credence, tracing back to Latin credentia ("belief"), from credere, "to believe" — the same root that gives us "credit" and "creed".

hence fence Pence whence thence Spence absence science silence defence essence Terence