creditable

Creditable is an English adjective meaning deserving of credit, praise, or esteem. It is most often used to describe performances, efforts, or accomplishments that are respectable or commendable but not outstanding. For example: "The team delivered a creditable performance in the tournament," or "Her explanation was creditable, though it left some questions unanswered." In more formal or historical usage, creditable can also mean plausible or believable, but this sense is now overshadowed by credible, and is rarely used in contemporary writing to denote believability.

Important to note: creditable and credible are distinct; credible refers to believability or trustworthiness, whereas creditable refers to earning credit or praise for a task or achievement.

Etymology: from Middle French creditable or Latin root creditus; formed with -able suffix meaning capable or worthy of. Related terms include credit (as esteem or acknowledgment) and credibility (the quality of being believed or trusted). The noun form credit can denote acknowledgement or commendation; credence may also be used.

Usage notes: Common collocations include "creditable performance," "creditable showing," "creditable effort," and "a creditable record." In evaluation contexts, report cards or reviews might grade as "creditable" if the standard is met but not excellent. Some writers consider it faint praise; depending on tone, synonyms like respectable, commendable, or acceptable are alternatives.