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

“Given her strong professional reputation and credibility, we believe investors are likely to give her the benefit of the doubt,” said Jeffrosenberg Chen Lim, head of Indonesia research at Maybank.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

“The more transparent a poll is — in terms of its data and methods — the more you should believe it,” said Grose, who also conducts the California Elections and Policy Poll.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

A recent survey by Susquehanna Polling and Research found that 77 percent of likely voters believe that "conserving national forests and other roadless lands for current and future generations" is paramount.

From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026

"Where members believe a decision has been made in error, they can appeal and each case will be reviewed individually by our Member Support Team," a Vinted spokesperson said.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

But Willem could do nothing routinely—especially pray—and soon the meeting was attended by dozens of Haarlemers hungry for something to believe in, this fourth year of the occupation.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

The Civil Defence agency in Gaza believes the number of missing people is over 8,000.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

Southern California is firmly within their native range, but Barkdull believes their population size here has likely increased.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

Arya said he thinks Nvidia’s stock looks cheap relative to its free-cash-flow profile, and he believes the company could satisfy investors by delivering more of its cash back to shareholders.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026

He believes Toni’s strict training regimen, often criticized as overly harsh, was precisely what allowed him to maximize his potential.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

“We need to remove some of the native species. The Collective believes an airborne herbicide can kill foliage, without risking physical contact with dangerous flora.”

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Soto-Martínez said he believed it was the first instance of an encampment ban being rescinded.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

At every turn, including in “This Is Me” and the press she did for it, Panettiere praises Klitschko as a terrific father who believed he was doing what was best for his child.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

Burnham sent a "few messages" via an unspecified communication channel to a person he believed to be the top aide, Susie Wiles, before becoming suspicious, Politico reported on Monday.

From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026

Jasmine Basran, head of policy at Crisis, said the charity welcomed the announcement and believed an end to rough sleeping was possible.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

People always believed the Fox sisters as “they would never suspect so young a child.”

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Still Klitschko, like many, did not recognize Panettiere’s initial symptoms, believing that she could power through them if she put her mind to it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

During the day, shoppers had to queue up for bag searches - a custom that Ervine grew up believing was the norm.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

Here, “Maddie’s Secret” fully diverges from its semi-parodic path, following Maddie to treatment, which, like many people who end up in mandatory care facilities, she doesn’t take seriously, believing she knows her body best.

From Salon ● Aug. 8, 2026

The government on Thursday decided against that move believing that Paramount’s assurances and legally binding commitments are sufficient to “safeguard the continued availability of a diverse range of broadcasting and on-demand services in the U.K.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

I sputter, not believing what I am hearing.

From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone

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