What does credence mean?
"Credence" means acceptance or belief that something is true or valid, especially a claim or report that cannot yet be fully verified. It is most often encountered in formal writing and speech, where it typically follows verbs such as "lend," "give," or "attach": one lends credence to a rumor, gives credence to testimony, or attaches little credence to an unproven theory. The word carries a measured, evaluative tone — it suggests reasoned judgment rather than blind faith, and it frequently appears in discussions of evidence, journalism, science, and public debate. A secondary, now largely historical sense refers to a small sideboard or table, found chiefly in churches, used to hold bread, wine, or ceremonial vessels during services. Derived from the Latin "credere," meaning "to believe," credence shares deep roots with words like "credible," "credential," and "creed." Its usefulness lies in naming a specific kind of provisional belief: the willingness to treat a claim as worthy of trust.
Belief in or acceptance of the truth or validity of something, especially a claim or report.
"The study's findings lent considerable credence to the hypothesis."
Typically used with verbs like lend, give, gain, or attach.
A small table or sideboard on which bread, wine, or other items are placed, especially in a church or at a ceremonial meal.
"The deacon arranged the chalice on the credence beside the altar."
Now chiefly historical or ecclesiastical.
The plural is rare in the belief sense, which is normally uncountable. In the furniture sense, "credences" is standard.
"Both chapels contain carved wooden credences from the Tudor period."
When you 'lend credence' to an idea, you're literally lending it belief — a phrase that turns trust into something you can hand over like money.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of credence
"Credence" entered Middle English from Old French "credence," ultimately deriving from the Latin verb "credere," meaning "to believe" or "to trust." The word has carried its sense of belief since medieval times, while its ecclesiastical furniture sense developed through its use in religious ritual. It shares this Latin root with cognates such as "credible," "credential," "creed," and "credit."
Related word forms
How credence is actually used
"Credence" is chiefly formal and almost always appears with verbs like lend, give, gain, or attach. The furniture sense survives mainly in ecclesiastical and historical contexts and will strike most readers as archaic.
Easily confused with credence
The furniture sense of credence refers to a sideboard or small table, while its dominant sense refers to belief or acceptance — same word, different meanings.