credit

Pluralcredits (some meanings)

Formscredits, crediting, credited

1. 1
   pay laternoununcountable

   An arrangement that lets a buyer or borrower have goods, services or money now and pay later, or the time allowed before payment is due.

   The supplier offered the new restaurant credit, allowing it to stock up before paying.

   Banks extend credit to customers they believe will repay on time.

   UsageYou buy things on credit, and lenders extend, offer or grant credit to a customer.

   Note

   Commerce built on belief. The lender gives because it trusts it will be repaid, the same root that underlies the verb of believing. Legally the arrangement creates a debtor–creditor relationship with defined terms of repayment.

2. 2
   verbtransitive

   To acknowledge that someone made a contribution to something.

   The article credits two researchers with the breakthrough.

   Historians credit the invention to a little-known engineer.

   UsageUsually credit someone with an achievement, or credit the achievement to someone; credit someone for it is common too.

   Similarattribute, ascribe, acknowledge

   Note

   Here the account being added to is a reputation. The construction mirrors the bookkeeping verb. Sports reporting uses it in exactly that ledger spirit, as in credit the point guard with another assist, tallying each contribution as if entering it in a book.

3. 3
   deserved praisenoununcountable

   Recognition, respect, and admiration given to someone for what they have done.

   The scientist finally received credit for her early discovery.

   Much of the credit for the project's success went to the volunteers.

   UsageYou get or take credit for something, and you give someone credit for it: the credit for the win.

   Similarrecognition, praise, acknowledgment, acclaim, honor

   Oppositeblame

   Note

   Admiration handled like a payment, and the idioms show it. A point in someone's favor is mentioned to their credit, and a fine piece of work reflects credit on those behind it, as Cecil J. Allen wrote of railway track in 1946. Cowper's citizen "of credit and renown" (1782) shows its older pairing with fame.

4. 4
   repayment historynounUSuncountable

   A measure of how trustworthy a borrower is, based on their record of borrowing and either repaying or failing to repay.

   Lenders checked her credit before approving the mortgage.

   Missing several payments can damage your credit for years.

   UsageUsually called good or bad: good credit, bad credit; lenders check your credit before a loan.

   Similarcreditworthiness

5. 5
   film titlesnouncountableusually plural

   A mention of a person's name for their work on a film, program, book, photo or recording; the credits are the list of these at the start or end of a film or program.

   The actors' names scrolled by during the closing credits.

   She spotted her own name in the credit roll at the end.

   UsageUsually the credits, which roll: the credits rolled, the closing credits. The singular is for one listing: a writing credit.

6. 6
   course unitnouncountable or uncountable

   Recognition that a student has completed a course or part of one, often counted in units toward a degree.

   He transferred twelve credits from his old college.

   Each lab earns students an extra credit toward the degree.

   UsageStudents earn credits toward a degree; a class is worth three credits.

   Note

   Coursework turned into arithmetic. A student can simply get credit for a class, but credits are also counted, adding up toward a degree. A course is worth a set number of credits, typically tied to weekly instructional hours across a term.

7. 7
   tax reliefnouncountable or uncountable

   A reduction in the taxes you owe, or a refund for taxes you paid in excess.

   Homeowners can claim a credit on their federal return for energy-efficient upgrades.

   After both of his jobs withheld too much payroll tax, he claimed the credit and received a refund in the spring.

   UsageYou claim or qualify for a tax credit. Not the same as a deduction: a credit comes off the tax itself.

   Similarrebate, refund

   Note

   Tax accounting's most valuable reduction, because it comes off the tax bill itself. A deduction only lowers the income the tax is figured on, so a credit is usually worth more than a deduction of the same size. Some credits are refundable: any amount beyond the tax owed is paid out, which is how a credit becomes a refund.

8. 8
   money addednouncountable or uncountable

   An amount added to an account, or the side of an account on which payments received are recorded.

   The accountant recorded the refund as a credit against the customer's balance.

   When the bank reversed the late fee, a credit of $35 appeared on her next statement.

   UsageA credit of an amount appears on an account or against a balance; its opposite is a debit.

   Oppositedebit

   Note

   The noun for the ledger's other column: entries of this kind go on the right-hand side of an account. The word covers two things. As a countable noun it is a single entry, such as a credit against a customer's balance. As an uncountable noun it names the side itself. Which balances it raises or lowers follows the rule set out under the bookkeeping verb. Source

   Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

   • Credit entries are recorded on the right-hand side of an account. openstax.org
   • Whether a credit increases or decreases a balance depends on the account type. openstax.org
9. 9
   verbtransitive

   To enter an amount as an addition to an account, usually in the account holder's favor.

   The teller credited the refund to her checking account.

   We credit customers' accounts as soon as payments clear.

   UsageCredit an amount to an account, or credit the account with the amount; the opposite is debit.

   Oppositedebit

   Note

   Bookkeeping's verb, and debit is its exact opposite. In double-entry practice it raises liability, equity and revenue balances but reduces assets. Here the everyday sense of "adding" can mislead.

10. 10
    nouncountable

    A unit used like money within a particular system, game or fictional world rather than as official currency.

    Players exchange credits for in-game upgrades.

    Each completed survey awards a single credit.

    Note

    The real-world cousin of science fiction's currency: a unit that holds value only inside one system. An arcade machine turns a dollar into credits to play with. Facebook Credits, introduced in May 2009, were valued at ten to the dollar and spent in games and apps on Facebook, which kept 30% of every transaction. Such credits are bought with money but spent only where they are accepted. Source

    Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 7 facts

    • An arcade machine converts money into game credits. betsonparts.com
    • Gift-shop Credits existed in 2008; May 2009 marks the alpha-stage rollout for third-party applications. en.wikipedia.org
    • One US dollar was equivalent to ten Facebook Credits. sec.gov
    • Facebook Credits were also tested on GameHouse.com in October 2011. gamehouse.com
    • Facebook retained 30% of transactions made using Credits. en.wikipedia.org
    • Credits could be purchased with money. en.wikipedia.org
    • Their use extended to participating external sites, including GameHouse.com. realnetworks.com
11. 11
    brings honornouncountable

    Something that brings value, distinction, or honor to a person or thing.

    His honesty under pressure was a credit to his upbringing.

    Such dedicated volunteers are a great credit to the organization.

    UsageUsed as a credit to someone or something: a credit to her school. Compare get credit for, praise you receive.

    Similarasset, honor

    Oppositedisgrace, embarrassment, shame

    Note

    Here credit is something a person or thing is, not something they receive. Alexander Pope's preface to his 1717 Works bends it toward an act, speaking of readers "it was a credit to please," where the honor lies in pleasing them.

Showing meanings only. Show all 15