Cool MateCredible vs Trusted
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Credible
Top 3,000 (common)C1adjective
Trusted
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Trusted
| Credible | Trusted | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkredəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkredəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈtrʌstɪd//🇺🇸 //ˈtrʌstəd// |
| Meaning | Something that can be trusted or believed. | Believed to be honest and reliable. |
| Example | a **credible explanation/witness** | She is a trusted advisor in our organization. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | appear, be, seem, highly, very, completely, appear, be, seem, highly, very, completely | trusted source, trusted friend, trusted advisor |
| Antonyms | unreliable, incredible, dubious | untrusted, distrusted, doubtful, suspicious |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'credibility', which is a noun., Using 'credible' to describe people instead of their work or sources., Mispronouncing the word, especially the 'ble' ending. | Confused with 'trustworthy' - both are similar, but 'trusted' implies past approval., Using 'trusted' inappropriately for things that cannot be trusted, like abstract ideas. |
| Usage notes | Use 'credible' to describe sources of information, like news articles or experts. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in casual conversations and slang. | Use 'trusted' for people or sources that are reliable. It is neutral, suitable for most contexts. Avoid in slang or overly casual settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Credible vs Trusted
What's the difference between Credible and Trusted?
Credible: Something that can be trusted or believed. Trusted: Believed to be honest and reliable.
Which is more common: Credible and Trusted?
Trusted is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Credible: a **credible explanation/witness** Trusted: She is a trusted advisor in our organization.
Can I use Credible and Trusted interchangeably?
Not always. Credible and Trusted 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.