Which of the following best defines a credit rating?

The best definition of a credit rating is indeed a measure of a consumer's potential to make timely payments. A credit rating assesses an individual's creditworthiness, which reflects their history of managing debt and making payments on time. Lenders use this information to evaluate the risk associated with lending money to a consumer. A strong credit rating indicates that a consumer is likely to fulfill their payment obligations, while a lower rating suggests potential difficulties in repayment.

While the other options touch on related concepts, they do not encapsulate the full essence of what a credit rating is. A numeric score determining credit limit eligibility is one aspect of how a credit rating might be utilized by lenders, but it does not define the rating itself. The length of time a consumer has used credit provides context for understanding credit history but is not indicative of the overall measure of creditworthiness. Similarly, the total debt-to-income ratio is a critical factor in assessing financial health but is a separate calculation that does not specifically define a credit rating.