belief
Americannoun
-
beliefs
plural
-
something believed; an opinion or conviction.
a belief that the earth is flat.
- Synonyms:
- persuasion, conclusion, tenet, view
-
confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof.
a statement unworthy of belief.
- Synonyms:
- assurance
-
confidence; faith; trust.
a child's belief in his parents.
-
a religious tenet or tenets; religious creed or faith.
the Christian belief.
noun
-
a principle, proposition, idea, etc, accepted as true
-
opinion; conviction
-
religious faith
-
trust or confidence, as in a person or a person's abilities, probity, etc
Synonym Usage
Belief, certainty, conviction refer to acceptance of, or confidence in, an alleged fact or body of facts as true or right without positive knowledge or proof. Belief is such acceptance in general: belief in astrology. Certainty indicates unquestioning belief and positiveness in one's own mind that something is true: I know this for a certainty. Conviction is settled, profound, or earnest belief that something is right: a conviction that a decision is just.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of belief
First recorded in 1125–75; earlier bile(e)ve (noun use of verb); replacing Middle English bileave, equivalent to bi- be- + leave (probably from Old English -lēafa “belief”); cognate with Dutch geloof, German Glaube; akin to Gothic galaubeins
Explanation
A belief is an idea one accepts as being true or real. Many children have a strong belief that the Tooth Fairy really does exist. The noun belief replaced the Old English word geleafa, meaning “belief, faith,” in the late 12th century. A belief is an idea one usually holds with conviction and importance. In a religious context, the Ancient Greeks held the belief that many gods existed, controlling their fate, while Christianity began with the belief that only one God exists. You can also have belief in yourself in the face of a challenge.
Vocabulary lists containing belief
"The Experiment" and "Superstition"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Module 1: Assessed Vocabulary Guide
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
#Gradwords: What Single Word Would You Give a College Grad?
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
“I was raised by parents who encouraged that belief in me.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
“It represents a belief in the future of the Sparks. And it represents a belief in where women’s basketball and women’s sports are going.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
“She continued to paint until her final days, never setting aside her brush, and remained steadfast in her lifelong belief that love can save the world,” the statement said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
Then you have to retreat with your mind into the music, and allow the music to express a kind of deep belief, like what the Negro spirituals express.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
He felt the wind try to snuff out his belief, his hope, but he held on tightly to it.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
But what struck him was how her "salt-of-the-earth" persona could help so many people and bring so many Americans together -- regardless of their socio-political beliefs.
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
The massive number of tributes showed how beloved Parton was across all genres, countries, and political beliefs - and among celebrities and fans across multiple generations.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
As James notes, "Our actions feel like they are caused by decisions based on desires, beliefs, and intentions."
From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026
That this is a reflection of America is taken as a given, the same way “Love Is Blind” contestants don’t feel the need to mention their evangelical beliefs.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
At the same time, artists often play an important role as the articulators of our shared beliefs and values, which they express through an ongoing tradition to us, their audience.
From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
