Question

Difficulty: EasyRoot Word Analysis

The journalist sought a credible source before publishing the breaking news story. What is the meaning of the word credible?

  1. A
    doubtful
  2. B
    critical
  3. believableAnswer
  4. D
    gullible

Answer

believable
The word 'credible' comes from the Latin root 'cred-', which means 'to believe' or 'trust', combined with the suffix '-ible', meaning 'able to be'. Therefore, 'credible' describes something that is convincing or capable of being believed, making 'believable' the accurate synonym.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the base root of the target word
The word credible contains the Latin root cred-, meaning 'to believe' or 'trust'.
Root word analysis isolates the core morpheme that carries the fundamental meaning of the term.
2
Combine the root meaning with the suffix to determine the definition
Adding the suffix -ible ('capable of being') produces the meaning 'capable of being believed' or 'trustworthy'.
Suffixes modify the grammatical function and application of the root.
3
Select the option that matches the derived definition
The option meaning 'believable' matches the root definition.
Synonyms express the same or nearly the same meaning as the target term.

Key Concept

Root Word Analysis of Latin root cred- (to believe)
Estimated Time:30s
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