Credit Meaning and Definition
Credit
Pronunciation
/ˈkrɛdit/
Part of Speech
Noun or Verb
Definition
A sum of money given or allowed to someone as payment or compensation for goods or services; or the act of believing or trusting someone or something.
Examples
- The store gave me a credit for the defective product.
- I have to pay off my credit debt.
- I have earned good credit in my financial history.
- She took out a credit card to buy the new laptop.
Synonyms
- Debit
- Loyalty
- Bonus
Antonyms
- Debit
- Loss
- Penalty
Etymology
The word ‘credit’ originates from the Latin word ‘credere’, meaning ‘to believe’ or ‘to trust’.
Usage Notes
In spoken language, credit may also refer to an act of believing or trusting someone or something, such as giving someone credit for their idea or expertise.
Cultural References
Credit has been featured in various TV shows and movies, such as the term ‘credit score’ in the movie “Fight Club” (1999) and the reference to “credit” in the TV show “The Big Bang Theory” (2007-2019).
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Cry for the moon: this phrase implies that someone is desperate or begging for something, like credit; Give credit where credit is due: this phrase means to acknowledge and appreciate someone’s efforts or contributions.
Related Words or Phrases
Cash, Debt, Finance, Loan, Money
Collocations
Credit card, Credit score, Credit check, Credit report, Credit limit
Frequency of Use
Credit is a commonly used term in everyday language, especially in financial and economic contexts.
Common Misspellings
Credict, Creditate, Cradit