believe

verb

be·​lieve bə-ˈlēv 

believed; believing

transitive verb

1

a

: to consider to be true or honest

believe the reports

you wouldn't believe how long it took

b

: to accept the word or evidence of

I believe you

couldn't believe my ears

2

: to hold as an opinion : suppose

I believe it will rain soon

intransitive verb

1

a

: to accept something as true, genuine, or real

ideals we believe in

believes in ghosts

b

: to have a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion : to regard the existence of God as a fact

Do you believe?

—usually used with in

believe in the Scriptures

2

: to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something

believe in exercise

3

: to hold an opinion : think

I believe so

believer noun

Phrases

not believe

: to be astounded at

I couldn't believe my luck

Synonyms

• accept
• buy
• credit
• swallow
• take
• trust

Examples of believe in a Sentence

I have watched the many ways that teachers demonstrate pleasure in what students have said or done. I used to believe that teachers needed to present a stoic face for fear of losing control—as if smiling caused bad behavior. —Nancy Mack, English Journal, September 2008

Scientists kept a close eye on Mount Saint Helens. The volcano in Washington State spewed steam and ash throughout the month, leading experts to believe that it could erupt at any time. —Time For Kids, 17 Dec. 2004

They parted as casually as any friends who believe they will meet in a few days. But each knew the other was in deadly peril of his life. —Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain, 1943

The scientists believed the reports.

Many people seem to believe that theory, but I find it hard to believe.

You shouldn't believe everything you read.

He says he'll help us, but I don't believe what he says.

They were tricked into believing that he was a doctor.

He says he'll help us, but I don't believe him.

She went to church because her family expected it, but she didn't really believe.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the future, researchers believe similar dating methodologies could one day be applied to not just other meteorites, but planets. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024

But human rights groups believe the real toll to be far greater, with thousands more users and small-time peddlers killed in mysterious circumstances by unknown assailants. —Reuters, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024

Smyth was believed to have abused more than 100 boys and young men in England and then Africa, starting in the 1970s and likely continuing until his death in 2018. —Rafi Schwartz, theweek, 13 Nov. 2024

Cannabis addiction, once believed to be rare, is now a growing problem. —Dr. Jerrold B. Leikin, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English beleven, from Old English belēfan, from be- + lȳfan, lēfan to allow, believe; akin to Old High German gilouben to believe, Old English lēof dear — more at love

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1b

Phrases Containing believe

• a world of make-believe
• believe in
• believe it or not
• believe one's eyes/ears
• can't believe
• don't you believe it
• if you believe that, you'll believe anything
• lead to believe
• make believe
• play make-believe
• would have one believe
• you won't believe
• you wouldn't believe
• you/you'd better believe it

Kids Definition

believe

verb

be·​lieve bə-ˈlēv 

believed; believing

1

: to have a firm religious faith

2

: to have faith or confidence in the existence or worth of

believe in ghosts

believe in regular exercise

3

: to accept as true

believe the reports

4

: to accept the word or evidence of

they believed us

I could hardly believe my ears

5

: to hold as an opinion : think

believe it will rain

believable

-ˈlē-və-bəl

adjective

believably

-blē

adverb

believer noun

Legal Definition

believe

transitive verb

be·​lieve

believed; believing

: to consider to be true or honest