candidate

noun

A person who seeks to be elected or appointed to a position or privilege.

(figurative) A person who is thought likely or worthy to gain a position or privilege.

A participant in an examination.

Someone or something likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for a purpose.

(education) A student taking a degree who has finished the coursework but has other remaining requirements such as a dissertation.

(education) The recipient of certain academic degrees, now mainly awarded in Scandinavia.

(genetics) A gene which may play a role in a given disease.

verb

To stand as a candidate for an office, typically for a religious one.

(nonstandard, chiefly jargon and non-native speakers' English) To make or name (something) as a candidate (to be chosen or deemed suitable for a purpose).

(obsolete, rare, transitive, figurative) To make white; to whitewash.

Roots

candiduscandid- · Latin · white, bright

Synonyms for candidate

nomineen campaignern aspirantn prospectn applicantn appointeen postulantn

Synonyms & related words for candidate

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of candidate — including nominee, campaigner, aspirant, prospect, applicant, appointee. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to candidate

Explore words related to candidate — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include candidacy, noncandidate, candidature, electability, electable, election, campaigning, hustings. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for candidate

Common synonyms for candidate include nominee, campaigner, aspirant, prospect, applicant, appointee, postulant — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does candidate come from?

The word candidate breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root candid-, from Latin candidus (“white, bright”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.