belief

[ bih-leef ]

noun

1. something believed; an opinion or conviction:

   a belief that the earth is flat.

   Synonyms: persuasion, conclusion, tenet, view

2. confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof:

   a statement unworthy of belief.

   Synonyms: assurance

3. confidence; faith; trust:

   a child's belief in his parents.

4. a religious tenet or tenets; religious creed or faith:

   the Christian belief.

   Synonyms: dogma, doctrine

belief

/ bɪˈliːf /

noun

1. a principle, proposition, idea, etc, accepted as true
2. opinion; conviction
3. religious faith
4. trust or confidence, as in a person or a person's abilities, probity, etc

Other Words From

• prebe·lief noun
• super·be·lief noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of belief¹

First recorded in 1125–75; earlier bile(e)ve (noun use of verb); replacing Middle English bileave, equivalent to bi- be- + leave (probably from Old English -lēafa “belief”); cognate with Dutch geloof, German Glaube; akin to Gothic galaubeins

Synonym Study

Belief, certainty, conviction refer to acceptance of, or confidence in, an alleged fact or body of facts as true or right without positive knowledge or proof. Belief is such acceptance in general: belief in astrology. Certainty indicates unquestioning belief and positiveness in one's own mind that something is true: I know this for a certainty. Conviction is settled, profound, or earnest belief that something is right: a conviction that a decision is just.

Example Sentences

"It is the people who are most immersed in these sports cultures that have the greatest belief in elements of this myth," Knoester said.

From Science Daily

"I have belief if we play well we can beat South Africa, but having a good performance will give us something to build on moving forward," said Rowlands.

From BBC

It was widely reported earlier in the week he had agreed a one-year contract extension, with the belief any additional season would be added as ‘an option’.

From BBC

In an opinion column for the Guardian, Brown writes movingly of the death of his first daughter, Jennifer Jane, aged only 11 days, and how this strengthened his belief "this is not the right time to make such a profound decision".

From BBC

Smiling throughout, he made clear his belief both in himself and in his players, claiming he was "the right guy at the right time".

From BBC

Related Words

• acceptance
• assumption
• conclusion
• confidence
• conviction
• expectation
• faith
• feeling
• hope
• idea
• judgment
• knowledge
• notion
• opinion
• position
• suspicion
• theory
• thinking
• trust
• understanding