believe

[ bih-leev ]

/ bɪˈliv /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR believe ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

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

be·liev·a·bil·i·ty, be·liev·a·ble·ness, nounbe·liev·a·ble, adjectivebe·liev·a·bly, adverbbe·liev·er, noun

be·liev·ing·ly, adverbhalf-be·lieved, adjectivehalf-be·liev·ing, adjectivepre·be·lieve, verb, pre·be·lieved, pre·be·liev·ing.pre·be·liev·er, nounsu·per·be·liev·a·ble, adjectivesu·per·be·liev·a·ble·ness, nounsu·per·be·liev·a·bly, adverbwell-be·lieved, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for believing

But he insisted that CIA employees had tried their best, all the while believing that another attack was around the corner.
John Brennan’s Tortured Defense of the CIA’s Torture Program|Shane Harris|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They practiced ceremonial cannibalism, believing the hearts of their victims would imbue them with power.
‘Argo’ in the Congo: The Ghosts of the Stanleyville Hostage Crisis|Nina Strochlic|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The marketing for the film was designed to intentionally mislead viewers into believing that it was based on a true story.
Here’s Why Your Favorite Horror Movies Are So Left-Wing|Asawin Suebsaeng|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Oculus Rift essentially tricks your brain into believing what it sees is real.
Welcome to Oculus XXX: In-Your-Face 3D is the Future of Porn|Aurora Snow|October 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

So feminist includes the idea that believing men and women to be equal, believing all people to be people, is not a natural state.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt on Why He’s Exploring the Word ‘Feminism’ and Online Misogyny|Marlow Stern|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It removed his guilt, hushed his fears, and filled him with joy and peace in believing.
The Great Commission|C. H. (Charles Henry) Mackintosh
The promises made to believing prayer are explicit, numerous, and diversified.
The Life of Trust: Being a Narrative of the Lord's Dealings With George Mller|George Mller
That there are difficulties in the way of believing thus, I grant; that there are impossibilities, I deny.
Hope of the Gospel|George MacDonald
Believing this statement, the Kurds wildly flew into the face of the big guns and many thousand were slain.
Modern Persia|Mooshie G. Daniel
But it might be and was faith, before sense did blow out the act of believing.
Letters of Samuel Rutherford|Samuel Rutherford

British Dictionary definitions for believing

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

believability, nounbelievable, adjectivebelievably, adverbbeliever, noun

believing, noun, adjective

Word Origin for believe

Old English beliefan

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

Idioms and Phrases with believing (1 of 2)

believing

see seeing is believing.

Idioms and Phrases with believing (2 of 2)

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.