credibility

Pronunciation

Here's the IPA phonetic spelling for "credibility" with a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:

• cre-di-bi-li-ty

• cre (kɹɛ)

• k - voiceless velar plosive (similar to the "k" sound in "key")

• r - alveolar tap (a short trill sound with the tongue tip near the alveolar ridge)

• ɛ - near-open front unrounded vowel (similar to the "e" sound in "bed")

• di (dɪ)

• d - voiced alveolar plosive (similar to the "d" sound in "dog")

• ɪ - near-close near-central unrounded vowel (similar to the "i" sound in "bit")

• bi (bɪ)

• b - voiced bilabial plosive (similar to the "b" sound in "boy")

• ɪ - same as above

• li (lɪ)

• l - alveolar lateral approximant (sound made by placing the tongue tip near the alveolar ridge and letting air flow over the sides)

• ɪ - same as above

• ty (ti)

• t - voiceless alveolar plosive (similar to the "t" sound in "top")

• i - close front unrounded vowel (similar to the "ee" sound in "beat")

Note: This is the pronunciation for most American and British dialects. There might be slight variations depending on the specific region.

Word Form Variations

The word "credibility" itself only has one form.

It's a singular noun and doesn't have a standard plural form. You can express plurality by using phrases like:

• multiple credibilities (to refer to different aspects of trustworthiness)

• a loss of credibilities (if referring to a situation where multiple entities lose trust)

However, in most cases, "credibility" is used in the singular form even when referring to multiple situations.

Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms

Credibility (Noun)

• Definition 1: The quality of being believable or trustworthy.

• Synonyms: believability, reliability, trust, legitimacy, reputability, authority

• Antonyms: incredibility, untrustworthiness, doubtfulness, suspicion, disrepute

• Definition 2: The ability to inspire belief or trust.

• Synonyms: persuasiveness, convincingness, credence

• Antonyms: unconvincingness, implausibility, absurdity

Examples of Use

1. Books:

• "Holmes' reputation for deduction was beyond question, his credibility absolute." (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Speckled Band)

2. Newspapers:

• "The recent scandal has severely damaged the credibility of the city council." (The New York Times)

3. Online Publications:

• "Fact-checking websites play a crucial role in maintaining the credibility of online information." (National Geographic website)

4. Entertainment Mediums:

• In a movie trailer, the narrator might say, "Based on a true story," to establish the credibility of the film's plot.

5. Public Discourse:

• "The politician's constant flip-flopping on issues has eroded his credibility with voters." (News commentary)

6. Social Media:

• Someone on Twitter might comment, "This source lacks credibility. They haven't cited any references."

7. Academic Research:

• "A well-designed research study with a large sample size strengthens the credibility of its findings." (Scientific journal article)

10 Famous Quotes Using the term Credibility

1. "Transparency increases credibility and accountability." - Stephen Covey (Author)

2. "Once you lose your credibility, you can never restore it." - Missouri Senator Roy Blunt (Politician)

3. "Relationships feed on credibility, honesty, and consistency." - Stephen Covey (Author)

4. "Bluffing is most effective when done sporadically; bluff too often, and you'll blow your credibility." - James C. Collins (Business author)

5. "A lack of realism in the vision today costs credibility tomorrow." - Henry Mintzberg (Management thinker)

6. "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou (Poet) (Note: This quote doesn't directly use credibility, but emphasises the importance of actions aligning with words, which builds trust)

7. "Every action or perceived inaction shapes credibility." - Mindy Hall (Leadership coach)

8. "The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them." - Ernest Hemingway (Novelist) (Note: Similar to #6, emphasises the connection between trust and credibility)

9. "If there's anything that's important to a reporter, it is integrity. ... Credibility is a basic survival tool." - Daniel Schorr (Journalist) .

10. "Credibility is capital. Once eroded, it's hard to rebuild." - Warren Buffett (Investor)
    

Etymology

The word "credibility" is like a family tree with Latin as its root.

• The Latin word "credere" means "to believe."

• From "credere" came the Latin word "credibilis," which means "believable" or "worthy of belief."

• "Credibilis" has a suffix "-tas" which, in Latin, means "quality of" or "state of being." So, sticking "tas" onto "credibilis" gives us "credibilitas."

The first known use of "credibility" in English showed up around the late 1500s. Back then, it meant the same thing it does today: the quality of being believable or trustworthy.

Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Credibility

• Lend credibility to: To provide evidence or support that makes something seem believable.

• Example: "The eyewitness accounts lent credibility to the news report."

• Strain credibility: To be so unbelievable or unlikely that it's hard to accept.

• Example: "The politician's alibi strained credibility."

• Credibility gap: A situation where there's a big difference between what someone says and what people actually believe.

• Example: "There's a growing credibility gap between the government and the public."

• Establish credibility: To show that you are trustworthy or believable.

• Example: "The new CEO is working hard to establish credibility with the employees."

• Lose credibility: To damage your reputation for being trustworthy or believable.

• Example: "The company lost credibility after the product recall."

• Credibility by association: Gaining trust because you are connected to someone or something else that is already trusted.

• Example: "The celebrity endorsement gave the new product credibility by association."

• Beyond credibility: Completely unbelievable or impossible to accept.

• Example: "The stories of the lost city were beyond credibility."

Posts Related to Credibility

Source Information

Definition of credibility from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.