credits: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal, depending on context. Common in media, education, and business.
Quick answer
What does “credits” mean?
A list of the people involved in making a film, television programme, or other production.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A list of the people involved in making a film, television programme, or other production; also, units of value awarded for completing parts of an educational course.
Public acknowledgment or praise given for an achievement; in finance, entries recording money received or owed; in video games, a virtual currency used for purchases; more broadly, recognition of contribution.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use 'credits' for film/TV and education. In finance, 'credit' (singular) is more common for the general concept.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. In academic contexts, 'credits' is strongly associated with modular degree systems.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects due to globalized media and education systems.
Grammar
How to Use “credits” in a Sentence
earn + credits + for + [course]receive + credits + toward + [degree]list + someone + in + the creditswatch + the + creditsroll + the creditsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “credits” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bank credited the refund to my account.
- She was credited with discovering the new technique.
American English
- The payment was credited to your card.
- He is credited as the film's executive producer.
adjective
British English
- The credit note was issued for the returned goods.
- He has a good credit rating.
American English
- Please use the credit slip for your return.
- She checked her credit score online.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to financial credits, invoice terms (e.g., '30 days credit'), or positive entries in accounting.
Academic
Units measuring coursework completion, required for graduation (e.g., 'You need 120 credits to graduate').
Everyday
Most commonly refers to the list of names at the end of a film or TV show.
Technical
In film/TV production, the detailed list of cast and crew; in gaming, virtual currency.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “credits”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “credits”
- Using 'credits' as a singular noun (e.g., 'a credits' – incorrect).
- Confusing 'credits' (acknowledgment) with 'credit' (trust/praise) in phrases like 'give credit'.
- Misspelling as 'creddits'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically plural ('The credits are rolling'), though it often refers to a single collective concept. There is no singular form 'a credit' for this meaning.
'Credits' are a formal, standardised list of contributors (especially in film/TV). 'Acknowledgments' are often more informal thanks, common in books or speeches.
In an educational context, yes. It means you have completed coursework worth three credit units (e.g., three modules) in mathematics.
It's a metaphor from arcade games where players inserted coins ('credits') to play. Now it often refers to in-game currency earned or bought.
A list of the people involved in making a film, television programme, or other production.
Credits is usually neutral to formal, depending on context. common in media, education, and business. in register.
Credits: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɛdɪts/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɛdɪts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To one's credit (deserving praise)”
- “Credit where credit's due (acknowledge someone's effort)”
- “A credit to (someone who brings honour)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the CREDits at the end of a movie – they show who you can CREDit for the work.
Conceptual Metaphor
CREDITS ARE CURRENCY (for education, gaming); CREDITS ARE PUBLIC RECORD (for acknowledgment).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'credits' NOT typically refer to a list of names?