believe

[ bih-leev ]

verb (used without object)

, be·lieved, be·liev·ing.

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)

, be·lieved, be·liev·ing.

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. 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.

believe

/ 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. intrfoll byin 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

Derived Forms

• beˈlieving, nounadjective
• beˈliever, noun
• beˈlievably, adverb
• beˈlievable, adjective
• beˈlievaˌbility, noun

Other Words From

• be·liev·a·bil·i·ty [bih-leev-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], be·liev·a·ble·ness noun
• be·liev·a·ble adjective
• be·liev·a·bly adverb
• be·liev·er noun
• be·liev·ing·ly adverb
• half-be·lieved adjective
• half-be·liev·ing adjective
• pre·be·lieve verb prebelieved prebelieving
• su·per·be·liev·a·ble adjective
• su·per·be·liev·a·ble·ness noun
• su·per·be·liev·a·bly adverb
• well-be·lieved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of believe¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of believe¹

Old English beliefan

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make believe. make ¹( def 68 ).

More idioms and phrases containing believe

• lead one to believe
• make believe
• you'd better believe it
• seeing is believing

Example Sentences

People watch night soaps because the genre allows them to believe in a world where people just react off their baser instincts.

From The Daily Beast

The death toll, which experts believe has been significantly undercut by secret burials, stands at 7,905.

From The Daily Beast

Three quarters of those people believe the end of the world is nigh.

From The Daily Beast

I believe in the power of institutions—Congress, public policy, certain ideas about politics—that last for a long time.

From The Daily Beast

What they believe impacts economic policy, foreign policy, education policy, environmental policy, you name it.

From The Daily Beast

He did believe you, more or less, and what you said fell in with his own impressions—strange impressions that they were, poor man!

From Project Gutenberg

I believe that these are ideal characters constructed from still more ancient legends and traditions.

From Project Gutenberg

"I verily believe they're gone to look at my button," cried Davy, beginning to laugh, in spite of his fears.

From Project Gutenberg

I cannot believe that God would think it necessary to come on earth as a man, and die on the Cross.

From Project Gutenberg

I cannot believe that a good God would create or tolerate a Devil, nor that he would allow the Devil to tempt man.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• consider
• expect
• feel
• hold
• maintain
• presume
• speculate
• suppose
• suspect
• take
• think
• understand