Definition

1. Verb:
   • To accept something as true or real: To hold something as true, often without absolute proof.
   • To have confidence in the truth, existence, or reliability of something: To have faith or trust in a person, concept, or statement.
   • To hold an opinion; to think: To suppose or consider something to be the case.

Examples of Usage

• Accepting as true:
  • I believe his story. (I accept his story as true.)
  • She didn't believe the rumor. (She did not accept the rumor as true.)
• Having faith or trust in:
  • They believe in democracy. (They have faith in the principles of democracy.)
  • Do you believe in ghosts? (Do you think ghosts exist?)
• Holding an opinion:
  • I believe it will rain tomorrow. (I think it will rain tomorrow.)
  • We believe her to be the best candidate. (We consider her to be the best candidate.)

Advanced Usage

• "Believe it or not": Used to introduce a statement that may be surprising or hard to accept.
  • Believe it or not, I've never been to London.
• "Would you believe it?": An expression of surprise or disbelief about a situation.
  • He's late again. Would you believe it?
• "If you believe that, you'll believe anything": A sarcastic remark indicating that something is completely unbelievable.
  • He said the dog ate his passport. If you believe that, you'll believe anything.

Variants and Related Words

• Believable (adj): Able to be believed; credible.
  • The witness gave a believable account of the event.
• Believer (n): A person who believes in a particular idea, faith, or cause.
  • She is a firm believer in equal rights.
• Unbelievable (adj): So extraordinary as to be difficult to believe; incredible.
  • The team's comeback was unbelievable.

Synonyms

• Trust: To have a firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something.
• Accept: To consent to receive or undertake something offered; to believe something to be valid or correct.
• Think: To have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something.
• Suppose: To assume that something is the case on the basis of evidence or probability but without proof.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Believe in:
  • To be convinced of the existence of something.

    • Does he believe in God?
  • To have faith in the value or efficacy of something.

    • I believe in regular exercise.
  • To trust that someone will behave well or succeed.

    • Her coach really believes in her.
• Make believe: To pretend or imagine.
  • The children like to make believe they are pirates.

Related Idioms

• Seeing is believing: You need to see something yourself before you can accept it is true.
  • I didn't think he could cook, but seeing is believing!
• Believe your eyes/ears: To accept that what you are seeing or hearing is real, often because it is surprising.
  • I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the size of the cake.
• Not believe a word of it: To think that something said is completely untrue.
  • He said he was sick, but I don't believe a word of it.

Verb

1. credit with veracity
   • You cannot believe this man
   • Should we believe a publication like the National Enquirer?
2. follow a credo; have a faith; be a believer
   • When you hear his sermons, you will be able to believe, too
3. be confident about something
   • I believe that he will come back from the war
4. judge or regard; look upon; judge
   • I think he is very smart
   • I believe her to be very smart
   • I think that he is her boyfriend
   • The racist conceives such people to be inferior
5. accept as true; take to be true
   • I believed his report
   • We didn't believe his stories from the War
   • She believes in spirits