believe
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.
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.
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.
Idioms about believe
make believe. make1 (def. 68).
Origin of believe
1Other words from believe
- be·liev·a·bil·i·ty [bih-leev-uh-bil-i-tee], /bɪˌliv əˈbɪl ɪ ti/, 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, pre·be·lieved, pre·be·liev·ing.
- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use believe in a sentence
Kassebaum’s decision to publicly back Bollier over GOP congressman Roger Marshall is a coup for Democrats who believe they have a chance at flipping the conservative state.
Election live updates: Trump returns to Wisconsin; Biden to face live audience at town hall | Colby Itkowitz, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner | September 17, 2020 | Washington PostThe action, they believe, would require moderate Democrats to decide whether they want Pelosi as speaker, putting them on the spot at a moment of internal tension.
Trump moves closer to Pelosi in economic aid talks, and House speaker must decide next move | Rachael Bade, Erica Werner | September 17, 2020 | Washington PostSedition, if the Times report about Barr’s views is to be believed.
William Barr is the poster child for politicized law enforcement officials | Philip Bump | September 17, 2020 | Washington PostMeanwhile, a pair of events have generated enormous excitement among those who believe that aliens might already be among us.
What We Really Know About Life in Outer Space | Outside Editors | September 17, 2020 | Outside OnlineThe vaccines are going to be, I believe, announced very soon.
Timeline: The 124 times Trump has downplayed the coronavirus threat | Aaron Blake, JM Rieger | September 17, 2020 | Washington Post
This is acting in every sense of the word—bringing an unevolved animal to life and making it utterly believable.
Oscars 2015: The Daily Beast’s Picks, From Scarlett Johansson to ‘Boyhood’ | Marlow Stern | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThat explanation is believable…but increasingly less so when you hear Jay talk about the nature of his relationship with Adnan.
The Deal With Serial’s Jay? He’s Pissed Off, Mucks Up Our Timeline | Emily Shire | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTNo one could agree on which side they felt was more truthful or believable, and the answers kept changing.
The first thing when you read something like this is, “OK, how can I make this believable, interesting, and real?”
The Good Wife’s Secret Weapon: Matt Czuchry on Cary Agos’s Terrible, Horrible Year | Kevin Fallon | October 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“The government witnesses were not believable,” a juror said afterward.
The Killer Klansman’s Missing Years as a Federal Informant | Michael Daly | April 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWe must also commend Harris for supplying a consistent and relatively believable motivation for the main action.
The City Bride (1696) | Joseph HarrisSt. Jerome's love 'pale with midnight prayer' would be more believable than the butterfly Dora.
The Man Between | Amelia E. BarrTo him, and hence to Celia, this idea of vast depths was thrillingly suggestive, and yet entirely believable.
Earth's Enigmas | Charles G. D. RobertsIt was not believable that the corporation would allow itself to be fooled so easily, would rush open-eyed into the trap.
The Octopus | Frank NorrisIt was not believable that the Railroad would "jump" Los Muertos, but if this should happen, he would be left without resources.
The Octopus | Frank Norris
British Dictionary definitions for believe
/ (bɪˈliːv) /
(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
(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 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
Origin of believe
1Derived forms of believe
- believability, noun
- believable, adjective
- believably, adverb
- believer, noun
- believing, noun, adjective
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with 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.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse