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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
- 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
- intrfoll byin 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
Derived Forms
- beˈlievable, adjective
- beˈlievably, adverb
- beˈlieving, nounadjective
- beˈliever, noun
- beˈlievaˌbility, noun
Other Words From
- be·liev·a·bil·i·ty [bih-leev-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], 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 prebelieved prebelieving
- 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
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of believe1
Idioms and Phrases
- make believe. make 1( def 68 ).
More idioms and phrases containing believe
- lead one to believe
- make believe
- you'd better believe it
- seeing is believing
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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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