believe
[ bih-leev ]
/ bɪˈliv /
verb (used without object), be·lieved, be·liev·ing.
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.
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 Phrases
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.
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Nearby words
belgrano, belgravia, belial, belie, belief, believe, believe it or not, believe one's ears, believing, belike, belinda
Idioms
make believe. make1(def 68).
Origin of believe
1150–1200; Middle English bileven, equivalent to bi- be- + leven, Old English (Anglian) gelēfan (cognate with Dutch gelooven, German glauben, Gothic galaubjan)
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for believer
British Dictionary definitions for believer
believe
/ (bɪˈliːv) /
verb
(tr; may take a clause as object) to accept (a statement, supposition, or opinion) as trueI 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 supposeI 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
Derived Forms
Word Origin for believe
Old English beliefan
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Idioms and Phrases with believer
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.