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

A source familiar with the dilemmas told me it “beggars belief” that minsters can talk about giving the NHS extra billions and promising reform without doing the same for social care.

From BBC

Most Republicans share Mr. Trump’s belief that he has not been treated fairly.

From NewsForKids.net

The common belief among Lebanese is that Boulos can push Trump to end the war, which began on Oct.

From Los Angeles Times

Following initial treatment, it seemed that his condition was improving and there was a belief that medication had been working, the inquest heard.

From BBC

Gabbard and Trump share a weird affection for Vladimir Putin but they also share a belief that they are being persecuted by the U.S.

From Salon

Related Words

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