faith

¹ American  

[feyth] / feɪθ /

noun

1. confidence or trust in a person or thing.

   faith in another's ability.

2. belief that is not based on proof.

   He had faith that the hypothesis would be substantiated by fact.

3. belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion.

   the firm faith of the Pilgrims.

4. belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, etc..

   to be of the same faith with someone concerning honesty.

5. a system of religious belief.

   the Christian faith;

   the Jewish faith.

6. the obligation of loyalty or fidelity to a person, promise, engagement, etc..

   Failure to appear would be breaking faith.

7. the observance of this obligation; fidelity to one's promise, oath, allegiance, etc..

   He was the only one who proved his faith during our recent troubles.

8. Christian Theology. the trust in God and in His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures by which humans are justified or saved.

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idioms

1. in faith, in truth; indeed.

   In faith, he is a fine lad.

Faith ² American  

[feyth] / feɪθ /

noun

1. a female given name.

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faith British  

/ feɪθ /

noun

1. strong or unshakeable belief in something, esp without proof or evidence

2. a specific system of religious beliefs

   the Jewish faith

3. Christianity trust in God and in his actions and promises

4. a conviction of the truth of certain doctrines of religion, esp when this is not based on reason

5. complete confidence or trust in a person, remedy, etc

6. any set of firmly held principles or beliefs

7. allegiance or loyalty, as to a person or cause (esp in the phrases keep faith , break faith )

8. insincerity or dishonesty

9. honesty or sincerity, as of intention in business (esp in the phrase in good faith )

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interjection

1. archaic indeed; really (also in the phrases by my faith , in faith )

faith More Idioms  

1. see act of faith; in bad (good) faith; leap of faith; on faith; pin one's hopes (faith) on.

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Other Word Forms

• multifaith adjective

Etymology

Origin of faith

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English feith, from Anglo-French fed, Old French feid, feit, from Latin fidem, accusative of fidēs “trust,” derivative of fīdere “to trust”; confide

Example Sentences

I have a little bit more trust and faith that I can make these little moments funny, even if they seem so small or so random and not obviously a crazy, funny life event.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Now we have to address the biggest question of all: Should investors still have faith in Uncle Sam?

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Students needn’t share Lincoln’s faith to understand that it guided his decision.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the Mexican army and Zapatero's faith and resilience, which she said had made the "astounding rescue" possible.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Ever since our car ride home from church, my brain couldn’t stop examining the idea of faith without facts.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Related Words

• church
• conviction
• denomination
• doctrine
• principle
• religion
• sect
• teaching