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believe
[bih-leev]
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
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.
believe
/ 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
Other Word Forms
- believability noun
- believableness noun
- believable adjective
- believably adverb
- believer noun
- believingly adverb
- half-believed adjective
- half-believing adjective
- prebelieve verb
- superbelievable adjective
- superbelievableness noun
- superbelievably adverb
- well-believed adjective
- believing noun
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of believe1
Idioms and Phrases
More idioms and phrases containing believe
- lead one to believe
- make believe
- seeing is believing
- you'd better believe it
Example Sentences
“I believe that our arms sales should be in accordance with humanitarian and international law. I believe, though, that we also need to recognize that Israel lives in a really dangerous neighborhood,” Jenkins said.
She tells the BBC that she believes that "lasting impact for women's mental health comes from investing in grassroots, community-led organisations that provide safe spaces, psychosocial care, and practical opportunities for education and income".
Scientists believe these features contain minerals produced by chemical reactions that could be associated with ancient Martian microbes.
She said she spotted a man at her partner's window but told the court she was not concerned as "Tony knew everybody" and believed it was likely a friend.
“If Laura is alive, he could go back to her and say, ‘I now believe you and now I’m with a crazy woman and afraid she’s going to kill me in my sleep.’
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Related Words
When To Use
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.
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.
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