believe
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.
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.
believe in,
to be persuaded of the truth or existence of: to believe in Zoroastrianism; to believe in ghosts.
to have faith in the reliability, honesty, benevolence, etc., of: I can help only if you believe in me.
Idioms about believe
make believe. make1 (def. 68).
Origin of believe
1Other words from believe
- be·liev·a·bil·i·ty [bih-leev-uh-bil-i-tee], /bɪˌliv əˈbɪl ɪ ti/, 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, pre·be·lieved, pre·be·liev·ing.
- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for believe
/ (bɪˈliːv) /
(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
(intr foll by in) 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
Origin of believe
1Derived forms of believe
- believability, noun
- believable, adjective
- believably, adverb
- believer, noun
- believing, noun, adjective
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with believe
In addition to the idioms beginning with believe
- believe it or not
- believe one's ears
also see:
- lead one to believe
- make believe
- you'd better believe it
Also seeseeing is believing.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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