# candidate

Pronunciation: US say "KAN-di-dayt" /ˈkæn.dɪ.deɪt/; UK say "KAN-di-duht" /ˈkæn.dɪdət/

## Noun

1. Someone trying to obtain a position or privilege through election or appointment.
   - Simple: A person trying to get elected or chosen for a job or position.
   - _The candidate spent months campaigning across the state._
   - _Three candidates filed paperwork to run for mayor._
2. A person or thing considered likely or well suited to be chosen for something, such as a job, an honor, or a particular purpose.
   - Simple: Someone or something that might be chosen, or would be a good choice, for a job, prize, or use.
   - _The empty lot is a prime candidate for a new park._
   - _Several drugs emerged as candidates for further testing._
3. A person taking part in an examination.
   - Simple: A person taking a test or exam.
   - _Every candidate received a unique seat number for the exam._
   - _Examiners reminded candidates to silence their phones before starting._

## Verb

Pronunciation: say "KAN-di-dayt" /ˈkæn.dɪ.deɪt/

5. To name or put something forward as a candidate to be chosen or deemed suitable for a purpose. *(nonstandard)*
   - Simple: To name something as a possible choice for a purpose.

## Verb

Pronunciation: say "KAN-di-dayt" /ˈkæn.dɪ.deɪt/

4. To put oneself forward for selection to an office, most often a position in a church or other religious body. *(rare)*
   - Simple: To try to be chosen for a job, often a church role.
   - _After two phone interviews, the search committee invited him to candidate at their church in May, preaching on Sunday and meeting the congregation._
   - _Young preachers often candidate at multiple congregations before settling._

## Other meanings

- (noun) A gene that may play a role in a particular disease.

## Origin

From Latin candidātus ("a person standing for public office"), from candidus ("dazzling white, shining, clear") plus a participial suffix. The name refers to Roman candidates who wore bleached white togas as a symbol of purity at the public forum. By surface analysis, candid + -ate.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/candidate (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).