credible

Everyday

1. Credible means believable, able to be trusted as true. tree →
2. A credible person, plan or threat is serious and likely to be real or to succeed. tree →

In the lessons

In research, a credible source is one you can trust (a good encyclopedia, a science organisation). In stories and stories you write, a credible plot or character feels real. In news: «a credible threat» means the danger is real and taken seriously. Opposite: incredible (which now usually means «amazing»).

Examples

• The scientist gave a credible explanation for the strange lights. tree →
• Is that website a credible source? tree →
• His excuse about the dog eating his homework was not very credible. tree →
• The team made a credible effort to win. tree →
• Police said the threat was credible and closed the road. tree →
• Make your characters credible so the reader believes in them. tree →

Note

Trap: incredible today mostly means «amazing», not just «not believable». Do not confuse credible (believable) with creditable (deserving praise) or gullible (too easy to fool).