Cool MateApplicant vs Candidate vs Nominee
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Applicant
Candidate
Nominee
| Applicant | Candidate | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈæplɪkənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈæplɪkənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈkændɪdət//🇺🇸 //ˈkændɪdɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌnɒmɪˈniː/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌnɑːmɪˈniː/"]/ |
| Meaning | A person who applies for something, usually a job or school. | A person applying for a job or position. | A person who is suggested for a job or honor. |
| Example | There were over 500 applicants for the job. | The candidate impressed the interview panel with her skills. | He was chosen as the party's presidential nominee. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun | noun |
| Collocations | potential, prospective, eligible, seek, attract, shortlist, apply, applicant for | strong candidate, selected candidate, job candidate, preferred candidate | presidential, Democratic, Republican, choose, select, appoint, nominee for |
| Antonyms | employer, rejector | incumbent | elector, voter, opponent |
| Common mistakes | Using 'applicator' instead of 'applicant'., Confusing with 'apply' as a noun., Using 'applicants' for singular contexts. | Confusing with 'candidacy' which refers to the state of being a candidate., Using 'candidate' for something other than people, which is incorrect., Don't use 'candidateships' as it is not a standard term. | Using 'nominating' instead of 'nominee' when referring to a person., Confusing 'nominee' with 'nominator', who is the person suggesting someone., Incorrectly using 'nominee' to refer to an award instead of the person. |
| Usage notes | Used in job applications and admissions processes. It's appropriate in both formal and neutral contexts but may sound stiff in very casual conversations. | Used in job interviews and elections. Not suitable for casual conversations. Typically a formal context. | Use 'nominee' in contexts related to awards, elections, or honors. It is appropriate in both formal and informal settings but is more common in formal discussions. |
Frequently asked questions: Applicant vs Candidate vs Nominee
What's the difference between Applicant, Candidate, and Nominee?
Applicant: A person who applies for something, usually a job or school. Candidate: A person applying for a job or position. Nominee: A person who is suggested for a job or honor.
Which is more advanced: Applicant, Candidate, and Nominee?
Nominee is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Applicant, Candidate, and Nominee the same CEFR level?
Applicant: B2, Candidate: B1, Nominee: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Applicant, Candidate, and Nominee?
Applicant: noun, Candidate: noun, Nominee: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Applicant: There were over 500 applicants for the job. Candidate: The candidate impressed the interview panel with her skills. Nominee: He was chosen as the party's presidential nominee.
Can I use Applicant, Candidate, and Nominee interchangeably?
Not always. Applicant, Candidate, and Nominee are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.