3 syllables: cred, it, ed. Stress on cred.
KRED-uh-tuhd
/ˈkɹɛdətəd/
credited is pronounced KRED-uh-tuhd (/ˈkɹɛdətəd/). It has three syllables (cred-it-ed), with the stress on "cred". Credited means recognized or acknowledged for an achievement or contribution, often in a formal sense (as in a film’s credits or when someone is credited with a discovery). It carries a sense of official attribution and trust, implying that a person or entity is considered responsible or deserving in a given context.
Credited means recognized or acknowledged for an achievement or contribution, often in a formal sense (as in a film’s credits or when someone is credited with a discovery). It carries a sense of official attribution and trust, implying that a person or entity is considered responsible or deserving in a given context.
"The scientist is credited with discovering the new gene mutation."
"The company is credited for reducing emissions by 20% last year."
"She was credited by her peers for her meticulous research."
Credited is pronounced /ˈkrɛdɪˌtɪd/ in US and UK dictionaries, with primary stress on the first syllable. Break it into three segments: /ˈkrɛd/ (KRĒD) + /ɪ/ (short i) + /tɪd/ (tid). In careful speech the final -ed often lands as a separate /ɪd/, so you hear /ˈkrɛd.ɪ.tɪd/. In faster speech, the middle vowel may reduce slightly and the /t/ can be softened near the end. Mouth position centers on an initial /kr/ blend, a mid-front vowel in /ɛ/, and a clear /t/ before the final /ɪd/.
Common errors include misplacing stress, saying /ˈkre-də-ted/ by over-reducing the middle vowel, or slurring the /tɪd/ into /tɪd/ without distinct consonant release. Another frequent mistake is dropping the final /d/ sound, yielding /ˈkrɛdɪt/ or lengthening the final /t/. Correction: emphasize first syllable with /ˈkrɛd/, clearly articulate /ɪ/ in the second syllable, and land the final /tɪd/ with a crisp /t/ followed by a light /ɪd/ articulation. Practice in three-phoneme chunks: /ˈkrɛd/ + /ɪ/ + /tɪd/.
In US and UK, the index syllable stress remains on the first syllable: /ˈkrɛdɪˌtɪd/ and /ˈkre.dɪ.tɪd/. Australian English aligns closely with non-rhotic English, but the /r/ after initial /k/ is absent in some environments; nevertheless, the major feature is the final -ed /ɪd/ as in many -ed endings. The main differences lie in vowel quality and the realization of /r/ after the initial consonant in rhotic accents. US tends to have tighter /ɪ/ in the second syllable and a slightly shorter middle vowel compared to UK; AU generally shares US-like rhoticity but can have subtle vowel shifts.
The difficulty centers on the three-syllable rhythm and the final -ed cluster /tɪd/, which demands precise articulation of /t/ and the following /ɪd/. The initial /kr/ blend also requires a strong, stable onset. If you misplace the stress or let the /d/ blend with the final /t/, you’ll sound like /ˈkrɛdɪd/ or /ˈkrɛdɪt/. Practice by chunking into /ˈkrɛd/ + /ɪ/ + /tɪd/ and ensuring the /t/ is released before the /ɪd/.
A unique feature is the final /ɪd/ that attaches to verb-derived -ed endings in multi-syllable words. Ensure your final syllable has a distinct /d/ with a light release into /ɪd/. Also note that the middle syllable often carries a reduced vowel, so you should practice balancing the three syllables for even rhythm and avoid clustering the /t/ with the preceding /d/ sound. IPA clues: /ˈkrɛdɪˌtɪd/.
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Credited comes from the verb credit, which stems from the Latin credere, meaning to believe or trust. The noun credit entered English via Old French as credit, with meanings related to trust, belief, and acknowledgment of a debt or obligation. In medieval and early modern contexts, credit often referred to trustworthiness or the recognition of obligations, and by extension to the attribution of authority or merit. The sense of attributing merit or accomplishment to a person evolved through the 16th to 18th centuries, aligning with the growing use of written records, formal attributions, and credits in literature, theater, and film. The modern adjective/participial form credited appeared to describe someone who has been officially acknowledged or named for a contribution, with the verb form creating tense and aspect (e.g., “credited with” a discovery). The word’s trajectory mirrors broader social practices around accountability, reputation, and the formal recognition of work across domains such as science, arts, and industry. First known uses can be traced to early modern English documents, and its usage expanded with the rise of mass media where credits and attributions became a standard feature of productions and publications.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "credited" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "credited" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "credited"
-ted sounds
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