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Synonyms

believe

American  
[bih-leev] / bɪˈliv /

verb (used without object)

believed, believing
  1. to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so.

    Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully.


verb (used with object)

believed, believing
  1. to have confidence or faith in the truth of (a positive assertion, story, etc.); give credence to.

  2. to have confidence in the assertions of (a person).

  3. to have a conviction that (a person or thing) is, has been, or will be engaged in a given action or involved in a given situation.

    The fugitive is believed to be headed for the Mexican border.

  4. to suppose or assume; understand (usually followed by a noun clause).

    I believe that he has left town.

verb phrase

  1. believe in

    1. to be persuaded of the truth or existence of.

      to believe in Zoroastrianism; to believe in ghosts.

    2. to have faith in the reliability, honesty, benevolence, etc., of.

      I can help only if you believe in me.

idioms

  1. make believe. make.

believe British  
/ bɪˈliːv /

verb

  1. (tr; may take a clause as object) to accept (a statement, supposition, or opinion) as true

    I believe God exists

  2. (tr) to accept the statement or opinion of (a person) as true

  3. to be convinced of the truth or existence (of)

    to believe in fairies

  4. (intr) to have religious faith

  5. (when tr, takes a clause as object) to think, assume, or suppose

    I believe that he has left already

  6. (tr; foll by of; used with can, could, would, etc) to think that someone is able to do (a particular action)

    I wouldn't have believed it of him

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

believe More Idioms  

    More idioms and phrases containing believe


Usage

Spelling tips for believe The word believe is hard to spell for two reasons. First, because it can be hard to remember the order of the i and e. Sometimes people want to spell it beleive, which is incorrect. Second, because it is pronounced [ bih-leev ], which makes you think there may be a second i in the word, as in bilieveHow to spell believe: The easiest way to remember how to spell believe is with the classic mnemonic device: “I before E, except after C." Believ[ing] is an important part of "being alive", which reminds you that the first syllable is be, not bi.

Other Word Forms

  • believability noun
  • believable adjective
  • believableness noun
  • believably adverb
  • believer noun
  • believing noun
  • believingly adverb
  • half-believed adjective
  • half-believing adjective
  • prebelieve verb
  • superbelievable adjective
  • superbelievableness noun
  • superbelievably adverb
  • well-believed adjective

Etymology

Origin of believe

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English bileven, equivalent to bi- be- + leven, Old English (Anglian) gelēfan (cognate with Dutch gelooven, German glauben, Gothic galaubjan )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I just couldn’t believe that there was another person standing there with all of the donuts in the world.

From Los Angeles Times

In many Indian families, cow's milk is believed to be too thick for infants and capable of upsetting their digestion, leading caregivers to dilute it.

From BBC

Tiffany believes it was "so important" she took the slot back in 2018.

From BBC

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, from Cardiff, said AI can be useful to speed up progress, but believes it will never replace the human connection and accountability that in-person coaching offers.

From BBC

Orsted said Friday that Revolution Wind would continue working with the administration toward a resolution, but believes the suspension—filed by the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management—violates applicable law.

From The Wall Street Journal