A candidate is a person who is being considered for a job, position, award, or is running in an election. It can also mean someone taking an exam or applying for membership.
From Latin 'candidatus' meaning 'clothed in white,' from 'candidus' (white, shining). In ancient Rome, people seeking public office wore white togas to show they were candidates. The clothing color became the word for the person.
The original candidates were literally 'the ones in white,' advertising their purity and worthiness through clothing. The link between white and honesty is the same root as 'candid' for truthful. Even though modern candidates don’t wear special togas, they still try to project a carefully polished image.
In many political and professional contexts, 'candidate' historically referred de facto to men, as women were excluded or discouraged from running for office or senior roles. Media and institutional language often treated women candidates as exceptions, focusing on gender over qualifications.
Use 'candidate' as fully gender-neutral and avoid assuming or implying a default male candidate in examples or pronouns.
["applicant","nominee","contender"]
When discussing elections or hiring, include women candidates’ campaigns and qualifications, and note structural barriers they face, rather than treating them as novelties.
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