credible

Where does the word "credible" come from? It comes from Latin credere, passing through Latin before entering English (1300s).

Credible’s story begins in Latin: credere meant “to believe, to trust.” The root of 'credit', 'creed' and 'incredible'. Within Latin, it grew into credibilis by ancient. Able to be believed, from credere. It reached English by 1300s as credible. Settled as the English word for something able to be believed. Today, credible means able to be believed, convincing enough to accept as true.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient credere "to believe, to trust", the root of 'credit', 'creed' and 'incredible'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient credibilis "able to be believed", able to be believed, from credere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s credible "able to be believed, convincing", settled as the English word for something able to be believed.