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Synonyms

believe

American

[bih-leev] / bɪˈliv /

verb (used without object)

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)

to have confidence or faith in the truth of (a positive assertion, story, etc.); give credence to.
to have confidence in the assertions of (a person).
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.
to suppose or assume; understand (usually followed by a noun clause).

I believe that he has left town.

verb phrase

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

make believe. make.

believe British

/ bɪˈliːv /

verb

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

I believe God exists
(tr) to accept the statement or opinion of (a person) as true
to be convinced of the truth or existence (of)

to believe in fairies
(intr) to have religious faith
(when tr, takes a clause as object) to think, assume, or suppose

I believe that he has left already
(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 bilieve. How 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

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

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 )

Explanation

If you believe something, you think it’s true. If you are easily duped then you might believe your little sister when she says a thief broke into the house and ate all your candy. Believe comes from old German words meaning to have trust. Belief doesn’t require proof, just acceptance. If you’re on a jury and the prosecution and defense present two different versions of what happened, you have to decide which side you believe. To believe can also mean having confidence. If you believe in me, it doesn’t mean that you think I’m real (unless I’m a ghost). It means you think I can do what I set out to do.

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Vocabulary lists containing believe

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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.

See Examples For:

believe believes believed believing

"I didn't see his dead body, so it was difficult for me to believe it."

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

In my case, dozens of people were, for 20 years, and I choose to believe every one of them was doing what they believed was the decent thing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

I refused to believe them, and must have been strident enough that my aunt asked my mom if she’d allow me to witness her prepare the chicken casserole she planned to serve that night.

From Salon ● Aug. 7, 2026

Michigan health officials now believe that most people got sick in late June or early July, and that the contaminated lettuce is no longer available.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 7, 2026

I tell myself I’m grateful for the peace, but I’m not sure I believe it.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

When I spoke with Hassabis, he said he believes the latest math results are in the same vein as the iconic Move 37, even if they’re not exactly the same.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026

Savita believes the exam was manipulated, alleging some candidates left answers blank so they could be filled in later.

From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026

Buckingham believes making the forthcoming Apple TV documentary has not only helped mend the rift between he and Nicks, but also any remaining tensions with other Fleetwood Mac members.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026

"Amazon believes in paying the full costs of powering our operations," a spokesperson said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026

“At least we know how to kill the giant. And this sorceress...well, if Hecate believes Hazel can defeat her, then so do I.”

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

Ran Honglin, the lead archaeologist at the site, had long believed there was more to Sanxingdui—whose name means “Three Star Mound,” a reference to a nearby topographic feature—than the two sacrificial pits found in 1986.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026

Where Mona believed any outfit could benefit from a splash of animal print and kitten heels, I found fashion inspiration from behind the wheels of oversize red shopping carts.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026

The sudden change beneath the Pacific suggests that the system can vary much more quickly than previously believed.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 7, 2026

In the 1990s, the software establishment believed serious systems required tight proprietary control.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

There were some who even believed that the spirits of living people could be materialized.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

He said the survivors then moved to the home of former Minister of Public Works and Housing Dr. Mufeed Al-Hassayneh, believing it would be safe because its owner was a U.S. citizen.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

She said she knew of people dying after believing anecdotes about unproven cancer treatment.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

It simply gives me a stopping point before I begin believing every peach, pickle and pastry belongs to the plan.

From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026

The meaning of the geometric shapes and animal outlines remains a mystery, with some believing they had ritual astronomical functions, according to UNESCO, which declared the area a World Heritage site in 1994.

From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026

Finally, he said, “Seeing is believing, I guess. Well, your gran was stronger than even I knew.”

From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023