What does "believe" mean?
To accept as true, particularly without absolute certainty (i.e., as opposed to knowing).
Believe
/bɪˈliːv/ verb
verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: To accept as true, particularly without absolute certainty (i.e., as opposed to knowing).
- Grammar: believe is listed as verb.
- Nearest alternatives: think, trust, academic dissent case, accept.
- Useful contrasts: mistrusting, suspected, beggars.
- Usage evidence: It's no use pretending to make me believe that I believe things you don't believe!
How to use "believe"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "believe" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "believe" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "believe" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "believe" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "believe" is acting as verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "think" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "believe", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Verb
- 1 To accept as true, particularly without absolute certainty (i.e., as opposed to knowing). transitive
"If you believe the numbers, you'll agree we need change."
- 2 accept as true; take to be true wordnet
- 3 To accept that someone is telling the truth. transitive
"Why did I ever believe you?"
- 4 credit with veracity wordnet
- 5 To have religious faith; to believe in a greater truth. intransitive
"After that night in the church, I believed."
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 follow a credo; have a faith; be a believer wordnet
- 7 To opine, think, reckon. transitive
"Do you think this is good? —Hmm, I believe it's okay."
- 8 judge or regard; look upon; judge wordnet
- 9 [with in]; To ascribe existence to.
"Do you believe in God / the Easter Bunny / ghosts?"
- 10 be confident about something wordnet
- 11 [with in]; To believe that (something) is right or desirable.
"I don't believe in sex before marriage."
- 12 [with in]; To have confidence in the ability or power of.
"I believe in you, man! You can do it!"
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"It's no use pretending to make me believe that I believe things you don't believe!"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "believe"?
Common synonyms include: think, trust, academic dissent case, accept, accept at face value, accept for gospel.
How do you use "believe" in a sentence?
It's no use pretending to make me believe that I believe things you don't believe!
How do you pronounce "believe"?
Pronounced /bɪˈliːv/.
Etymology
From Middle English beleven, bileven, from Old English belīefan (“to believe”), from Proto-West Germanic *bilaubijan (“to believe”), equivalent to be- + leave (“to give leave or permission to, permit, allow, grant”). Cognate with Scots beleve (“to believe”), Middle Low German belö̂ven (“to believe”), Middle High German belouben (“to believe”). A related term in Old English was ġelīefan (“to be dear to; believe, trust”), from Proto-West Germanic *galaubijan (“to have faith, believe”), from Proto-Germanic *galaubijaną. Compare also Old English ġelēafa (“belief, faith, confidence, trust”), Old English lēof ("dear, valued, beloved, pleasant, agreeable" > English lief). Related also to North Frisian leauwjen (“to believe”), West Frisian leauwe (“to believe”), Dutch geloven (“to believe”), German glauben (“to believe”), Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐌻𐌰𐌿𐌱𐌾𐌰𐌽 (galaubjan, “to hold dear, valuable, or satisfactory, approve of, believe”). The prepositionally transitive senses with in are a semantic loan from Latin crēdō in aliquem / aliquid.