candidate

[ noun kan-di-deyt, -dit; verb kan-di-deyt ]
/ noun ˈkæn dɪˌdeɪt, -dɪt; verb ˈkæn dɪˌdeɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR candidate ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person who seeks an office, honor, etc.: a candidate for governor.
a person who is selected by others as a contestant for an office, honor, etc.
a person who is deserving of or seems destined for a certain end or fate: Such a reckless spender is a candidate for the poorhouse.
a student studying for a degree: Candidates for the B.A. will have to meet certain minimum requirements.

verb (used without object), can·di·dat·ed, can·di·dat·ing.

to become a candidate for service as a new minister of a church; preach before a congregation that is seeking a new minister.

Origin of candidate

First recorded in 1605–15, candidate is from the Latin word candidātus clothed in white (adj.), candidate for office (noun, in reference to the white togas worn by those seeking office). See candid, -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM candidate

can·di·da·cy [kan-di-duh-see] /ˈkæn dɪ də si/; Chiefly British, can·di·da·ture [kan-di-duh-cher] /ˈkæn dɪ də tʃər/, can·di·date·ship, noun pre·can·di·da·cy, noun pre·can·di·da·ture, noun

Words nearby candidate

candice, candicidin, candid, candid camera, candida, candidate, candidate species, candide, candidemia, candidiasis, candied

Words related to candidateship

application, nomination, readiness, preparedness, competition, offer

Example sentences from the Web for candidateship

  • For Mr. Trenchard, besides the wondrously sweetening power of his candidateship, came of a very ancient name in Dorsetshire.

    Agatha's Husband |Dinah Maria Craik (AKA: Dinah Maria Mulock)

  • Could it be that Mr Ashburton had some other contest or candidateship in store for himself which he had not told her about?

    Miss Marjoribanks |Mrs (Margaret) Oliphant

British Dictionary definitions for candidateship

candidate
/ (ˈkændɪˌdeɪt, -dɪt) /

noun

a person seeking or nominated for election to a position of authority or honour or selection for a job, promotion, etc
a person taking an examination or test
a person or thing regarded as suitable or likely for a particular fate or position this wine is a candidate for his cellar

Derived forms of candidate

candidacy (ˈkændɪdəsɪ) or candidature (ˈkændɪdətʃə), noun

Word Origin for candidate

C17: from Latin candidātus clothed in white (because in ancient Rome a candidate wore a white toga), from candidus white