believe

be‧lieve S1 W1 /bəˈliːv, bɪˈliːv/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑belief, ↑disbelief, ↑believer; adjective: ↑believable ≠ ↑unbelievable, ↑disbelieving; verb: ↑believe ≠ ↑disbelieve; adverb: ↑unbelievably]
[Language: Old English; Origin: belefan, from lyfan, lefan 'to allow, believe']
1. [transitive not in progressive] to be sure that something is true or that someone is telling the truth:
You shouldn’t believe everything you read.
I believed him, even though his story sounded unlikely.
believe (that)
I don’t believe he’s only 25.
I don’t believe a word of it (=I think it is completely untrue).
2. [transitive not in progressive] to think that something is true or possible, although you are not completely sure
believe (that)
Detectives believe that the victim knew his killer.
it is believed (that)
It is believed that the house was built in 1735.
believe so (=think that something is true)
‘Have they arrived yet?’ ‘Yes, I believe so.’
be believed to be something
At 115, Mrs Jackson is believed to be the oldest person in the country.
The four men are widely believed (=believed by a lot of people) to have been killed by their captors.
Did you honestly believe that I’d be stupid enough to do that?
I firmly believe that the business will be a success.
3. it’s difficult/hard to believe (that) used when you are surprised that something is true:
Sometimes, it’s hard to believe we’ve been married for 50 years.
• • •
SPOKEN PHRASES
4. can’t/don’t believe something used when you are very surprised or shocked by something:
I can’t believe he’s expecting us to work on Sunday!
I couldn’t believe it when he told me what had happened.
can hardly/scarcely believe something
I could scarcely believe my luck.
5. believe it or not used when you are saying something that is true but surprising:
He enjoys school, believe it or not.
6. would you believe it! (also I don’t believe it!) used when you are surprised or angry about something:
And then he just walked out. Would you believe it!
7. believe (you) me used to emphasize that something is definitely true:
There’ll be trouble when they find out about this, believe you me!
8. you’d better believe it! used to emphasize that something is true
9. don’t you believe it! used to emphasize that something is definitely not true
10. can’t believe your eyes/ears used to say that someone is very surprised by something they see or hear
11. if you believe that, you’ll believe anything used to say that something is definitely not true, and that anyone who believes it must be stupid
12. seeing is believing (also I’ll believe it when I see it) used to say that you will only believe that something happens or exists when you actually see it
13. [intransitive] to have a religious faith:
She says those who believe will go to heaven.
⇨ make believe at ↑make¹(19)
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to believe something
▪ believe to be sure that something is true or that someone is telling the truth: I believed her when she said that she loved me. | Don’t believe anything he tells you.
▪ accept to believe that something is true, especially because someone has persuaded you to believe it: His wife accepted his explanation for why he was late. | Leah had slowly come to accept her brother’s version of events.
▪ take sb’s word for it especially spoken to believe what someone says is true, even though you have no proof or experience of it: I don’t know anything about him, so I’ll just have to take your word for it. | You don’t have to take my word for it – go and see for yourself. | ‘Cakes are very easy to make.’ ‘I’ll take your word for it.’
▪ give somebody the benefit of the doubt to believe what someone says, even though you think it might not be true: Unless you have proof, you should give him the benefit of the doubt.
■ to believe something that is untrue
▪ be taken in (also fall for something informal) to be tricked into believing something that is not true: A lot of people were taken in by these claims. | I can’t believe she fell for that old excuse!
▪ swallow informal to believe a story or explanation that is not true, especially when this makes you seem silly: His aunt had swallowed his story unquestioningly. | Police refused to swallow his story, and put him in a cell.
believe in somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to be sure that someone or something exists:
Do you believe in God?
2. to think that something is effective or right:
I don’t believe in these diets.
believe in doing something
The school believes in letting children learn at their own pace.
3. to trust someone and be confident that they will be successful:
The people want a president they can believe in.
Believe in yourself, or you’ll never succeed.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

believe

be·lieve [believe believes believed believing] [bɪˈliːv] [bɪˈliːv] verb

(not used in the progressive tenses)

FEEL CERTAIN
1. transitive to feel certain that sth is true or that sb is telling you the truth
• ~ sb I don't believe you!
• The man claimed to be a social worker and the old woman believed him.
• Believe me, she's not right for you.
• ~ sth I believed his lies for years.
• I find that hard to believe.
• Don't believe a word of it (= don't believe any part of what sb is saying).
• ~ (that)… People used to believe (that) the earth was flat.
• He refused to believe (that) his son was involved in drugs.

• I do believe you're right (= I think sth is true, even though it is surprising).

THINK POSSIBLE

2. intransitive, transitive to think that sth is true or possible, although you are not completely certain
• ‘Where does she come from?’ ‘Spain, I believe.’
• ‘Does he still work there?’ ‘I believe so/not.’
• ~ (that)… Police believe (that) the man may be armed.
• it is believed (that)… It is believed that the couple have left the country.
• ~ sb/sth to be, have, etc. sth The vases are believed to be worth over $20 000 each.

• ~ sb/sth + adj. Three sailors are missing, believed drowned.

HAVE OPINION

3. transitive ~ (that)… to have the opinion that sth is right or true
• The party believes (that) education is the most important issue facing the government.

• She believes that killing animals for food or fur is completely immoral.

BE SURPRISED/ANNOYED

4. transitive don't/can't ~ used to say that you are surprised or annoyed at sth
• ~ (that)… She couldn't believe (that) it was all happening again.
• I don't believe I'm doing this!

• ~ how, what, etc… I can't believe how much better I feel.

RELIGION

5. intransitive to have a religious faith
• The god appears only to those who believe.
more at give sb to believe/understand at give _v.
Idioms: I don't believe it! ▪ believe it or not ▪ believe me ▪ don't you believe it! ▪ if you believe that, you'll believe anything ▪ make believe ▪ not believe your ears ▪ seeing is believing ▪ would you believe? ▪ you better believe it!
Derived: believe in somebody ▪ believe in something ▪ believe something of somebody
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
late Old English belȳfan, belēfan, alteration of gelēfan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch geloven and German glauben.
Thesaurus:
believe verb
1. T, I
• I don't believe you!
• Do you believe in God?
trust • • have confidence in sb/sth • • have faith in sb/sth •
Opp: doubt, (formal) Opp: disbelieve
believe/trust/have confidence/have faith in sb/sth
2. T
• She believes that eating meat is wrong.
think • • feel • • consider • • be under the impression that… • |especially BrE, informal reckon • |formal hold •
believe/think/feel/consider/be under the impression/reckon/hold that…
Believe or think? When you are talking about an idea of what is true or possible, use believe to talk about other people and think to talk about yourself
• Police believe (that) the man may be armed.
• I think this is their house, but I'm not sure.
Use believe to talk about matters of principle; use think to talk about practical matters or matters of personal taste
• I believe we have a responsibility towards the less fortunate in society.
• I think we should reserve seats in advance.
• I don't think he's funny at all.

Language Bank:
according to
Reporting someone's opinion
▪ Photography is, according to ▪ Vidal, the art form of untalented people.
For ▪ Vidal, photography is the art form of untalented people.
▪ His view is that ▪ photography is not art but merely the mechanical reproduction of images.
▪ Smith takes the view that ▪ photography is both an art and a science.
In ▪ Brown's view ▪, photography should be treated as a legitimate art in its own right.
▪ James is of the opinion that ▪ a good painter can always be a good photographer if he or she so decides.
▪ Emerson believed that ▪ a photograph should only reflect what the human eye can see.
Language Banks at argue, opinion
Language Bank:
opinion
Giving your personal opinion
In my opinion ▪, everyone should have some understanding of science.
▪ Everyone should, in my opinion ▪, have some understanding of science.
It seems to me that ▪ many people in this country have a poor understanding of science.
▪ This is, in my view ▪, the result of a failure of the scientific community to get its message across.
▪ Another reason why so many people have such a poor understanding of science is, I believe ▪, the lack of adequate funding for science in schools.
▪ Smith argues that science is separate from culture. My own view is that ▪ science belongs with literature, art, philosophy and religion as an integral part of our culture.
In this writer's opinion ▪, the more the public know about science, the less they will fear and distrust it.
Synonyms at think
Language Banks at according to, argue, impersonal, nevertheless, perhaps
Synonyms:
think
believe • feel • reckon • be under the impression
These words all mean to have an idea that sth is true or possible or to have a particular opinion about sb/sth.
think • to have an idea that sth is true or possible, although you are not completely certain; to have a particular opinion about sb/sth: ▪ Do you think (that) they'll come? ◊ ▪ Well, I like it. What do you think?
believe • to have an idea that sth is true or possible, although you are not completely certain; to have a particular opinion about sb/sth: ▪ Police believe (that) the man may be armed.
think or believe?
When you are expressing an idea that you have or that sb has of what is true or possible, believe is more formal than think. It is used especially for talking about ideas that other people have; think is used more often for talking about your own ideas: ▪ Police believe… ◊ ▪ I think… When you are expressing an opinion, believe is stronger than think and is used especially for matters of principle; think is used more for practical matters or matters of personal taste.
feel • to have a particular opinion about sth that has happened or about what you/sb ought to do: ▪ We all felt (that) we were unlucky to lose.
reckon • (informal) to think that sth is true or possible: ▪ I reckon (that) I'm going to get that job.
be under the impression that… • to have an idea that sth is true: ▪ I was under the impression that the work had already been completed.
to think/believe/feel/reckon/be under the impression that…
It is thought/believed/reckoned that…
to be thought/believed/felt/reckoned to be sth
to think/believe/feel sth about sb/sth
to sincerely/honestly/seriously/mistakenly think/believe/feel
Synonyms:
trust
depend on sb/sth • rely on sb/sth • count on sb/sth • believe in sb
These words all mean to believe that sb/sth will do what you hope or expect of them or that what they tell you is correct or true.
trust • to believe that sb is good, honest, sincere, etc. and that they will do what you expect of them or do the right thing; to believe that sth is true or correct: ▪ You can trust me not to tell anyone. ◊ ▪ Don't trust what you read in the newspapers!
depend on/upon sb/sth • (often used with can/cannot/could/could not) to trust sb/sth to do what you expect or want, to do the right thing, or to be true or correct: ▪ He was the sort of person you could depend on. ◊ ▪ Can you depend on her version of what happened?
rely on/upon sb/sth • (used especially with can/cannot/could/could not and should/should not) to trust sb/sth to do what you expect or want, or to be honest, correct or good enough: ▪ Can I rely on you to keep this secret? ◊ ▪ You can't rely on any figures you get from them.
trust, depend or rely on/upon sb/sth?
You can trust a person but not a thing or system. You can trust sb's judgement or advice, but not their support. You can depend on sb's support, but not their judgement or advice. Rely on/upon sb/sth is used especially with you can/could or you should to give advice or a promise: I don't really rely on his judgement. ◊ ▪ You can't really rely on his judgement.
count on sb/sth • (often used with can/cannot/could/could not) to be sure that sb will do what you need them to do, or that sth will happen as you want it to happen: ▪ I'm counting on you to help me. ◊ ▪ We can't count on the good weather lasting.
believe in sb • to feel that you can trust sb and/or that they will be successful: ▪ They need a leader they can believe in.
to trust/depend on/rely on/count on sb/sth to do sth
to trust/believe in sb/sth
to trust/rely on sb's advice/judgement
to depend on/rely on/count on sb's support
to completely trust/depend on/rely on/believe in sb/sth
Example Bank:
• I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
• I didn't believe a word of what he said.
• I personally believe that it's important.
• I'm inclined to believe you.
• I've long believed that a good reputation is the most valuable asset you can have in business.
• It's hard to believe that this campaign has been going on for ten years.
• No one seriously believes that this war will happen.
• Paul thinks he's happy, but his mother believes otherwise.
• The ad led us to believe that all prices had been cut.
• The boss gave me to believe that we would all get a pay rise.
• We have reason to believe that the escaped prisoner may be hiding in this house.
• ‘Does he still work there?’ ‘I believe so/not.’
• ‘Where does she come from?’ ‘Spain, I believe.’
• Believe me, she's not right for you.
• Don't believe a word of it.
• He refuses to believe his son was involved with drugs.
• I believe that we have a responsibility towards the less fortunate in society.
• I don't believe you!
• I find that very hard to believe.
• It was generally believed that evil spirits lived in the forest.
• No one seriously believed that the war would happen.
• People used to believe that the earth was flat.
• Police believe…
• She believes that killing animals for food or fur is completely immoral.
• The paintings are believed to be worth over $20 000 each.

• We believe (that) education is the most important issue facing the government.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

believe

[bɪli͟ːv]
♦
believes, believing, believed
1) VERB If you believe that something is true, you think that it is true, but you are not sure. [FORMAL]
  [V that] Experts believe that the coming drought will be extensive...
  [V that] I believe you have something of mine...
  [V that] The main problem, I believe, lies elsewhere...
  [V n to-inf] We believe them to be hidden here in this apartment...
  [V so/not] `You've never heard of him?' - `I don't believe so.' [Also V n adj]
  Syn:
  think
2) VERB If you believe someone or if you believe what they say or write, you accept that they are telling the truth.
  [V n] He did not sound as if he believed her...
  [V n] Never believe anything a married man says about his wife...
  [V n] Don't believe what you read in the papers.
  Ant:
  disbelieve
3) VERB If you believe in fairies, ghosts, or miracles, you are sure that they exist or happen. If you believe in a god, you are sure of the existence of that god.
  [V in n] I don't believe in ghosts...
  [V in n] Do you believe in magic? [Also V]
4) VERB If you believe in a way of life or an idea, you are in favour of it because you think it is good or right.
  [V in n] He believed in marital fidelity.
  [V in n] ...decent candidates who believed in democracy.
5) VERB If you believe in someone or what they are doing, you have confidence in them and think that they will be successful.
  [V in n] If you believe in yourself you can succeed.
6) VERB: with brd-neg (feelings) Believe is used in expressions such as I can't believe how or it's hard to believe that in order to express surprise, for example because something bad has happened or something very difficult has been achieved.
  [V wh] Many officers I spoke to found it hard to believe what was happening around them...
  [V wh] I was a physical and emotional wreck - I still can't believe how I ever got any work done. [Also V that]
7) PHRASE: V inflects, with brd-neg (emphasis) If you say that you cannot believe your eyes or cannot believe your ears, you are emphasizing that you are very surprised about something you have seen or heard.
  I could not believe my eyes. She was far more beautiful than I had imagined.
8) PHRASE: PHR with cl (emphasis) You can use believe it or not to emphasize that what you have just said is surprising.
  That's normal, believe it or not.
9) PHRASE: PHR with cl (emphasis) If you say would you believe it, you are emphasizing your surprise about something.
  And would you believe it, he's younger than me!
10) PHRASE: PHR with cl (emphasis) You can use believe you me to emphasize that what you are saying is true.
  It's absolutely amazing, believe you me.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

believe

be·lieve /bəˈliːv/ verb not used in progressive tenses -lieves; -lieved; -liev·ing
1 [+ obj]
a : to accept or regard (something) as true
• The scientists believed the reports.
• Many people seem to believe that theory, but I find it hard/difficult to believe.
• You shouldn't believe everything you read.
• I knew that he was a liar and so I didn't believe a word he said. [=I didn't believe anything he said]
• I did not want to believe (that) it could happen.
• He says he'll help us, but I don't believe what he says.
• They were tricked into believing that he was a doctor.
- opposite disbelieve
b : to accept the truth of what is said by (someone)
• He says he'll help us, but I don't believe him.
- opposite disbelieve
2 [+ obj] : to have (a specified opinion) : think
• I'm beginning to believe (that) this war will never end.
• I used to believe (that) I was the only one who felt that way but now I know (that) there are others like me.
• He clearly/firmly/honestly believes (that) it is possible. = He clearly/firmly/honestly believes it (to be) possible.
• He had reason to believe that they would accept his offer. = He had reason for believing that they would accept his offer.
• She was widely believed to be guilty. [=many people believed that she was guilty]
• We were led to believe it was true. [=we heard, saw, or read something that made us think it was true]
• “Has he accepted the job?” “I believe so.” = “So I believe.”
• “Has he accepted the job?” “I believe not.” = “I don't believe so.”
3 [no obj] : to regard the existence of God as a fact : to have religious beliefs
• She went to church because her family expected it, but she didn't really believe.
4 [no obj] : to have trust in the ability, worth, etc., of someone or something
• The team hasn't won a championship in many years, but their fans still believe. [=their fans still believe in them; their fans still believe that they will win]
5 informal
- used for emphasis in phrases that express certainty, surprise, annoyance, etc.
• “Do you think they can win?” “You/You'd better believe it!” [=yes, I definitely think so]
• Believe me, he can really play the game. = Believe you me, he can really play the game.
• I can't believe how ugly that dress is. [=what an ugly dress]
• You broke the window? I can't believe you guys! [=I'm annoyed and shocked by what you did] How could you do such a thing?
• I can't believe [=I am amazed/surprised] that that terrible restaurant is still in business.
• That terrible restaurant is still in business, if you can believe it/that.
• Can/Would you believe it?! That terrible restaurant is still in business.
• You won't believe what I just heard! [=you will be very surprised by what I just heard]
• You wouldn't believe how long it took us to get here. [=it took us a surprisingly long/short time to get here]
• I don't believe it! I swept the floor 10 minutes ago, and it's already dirty again!
• I could not believe my good fortune/luck.
• It's hard to believe that he's gone.
• His latest movie, believe it or not, is a romantic comedy about a group of lawyers. [=it is surprising but true that his latest movie is a romantic comedy about a group of lawyers]
• “I hear that their marriage is in trouble.” “Don't you believe it! [=that is completely untrue] They're the happiest couple I know!”
• “He says he's going to become a doctor.” “If you believe that, you'll believe anything!” [=it would be very foolish to believe that he is going to become a doctor]
• “He says he's going to become a doctor.” “I'll believe that when I see it!”
believe in [phrasal verb]
1 believe in (something)
a : to have faith or confidence in the existence of (something)
• Do you believe in ghosts?
b : to have trust in the goodness or value of (something)
• She believes in (the value of) regular exercise.
• They believed in liberty for all.
• I believe in working hard to achieve success.
• She doesn't believe in using pesticides. [=she doesn't believe that it's right to use pesticides; she believes that pesticides do more harm than good]
2 believe in (someone) : to have trust in the goodness or ability of (someone)
• Despite his problems, his parents still believe in him.
• She believes in herself and in her abilities.
can't believe your eyes/ears
✦If you can't believe your eyes/ears or can hardly/scarcely believe your eyes/ears, you are very surprised at or upset by what you are seeing or hearing.
• I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw what he was wearing.
make believe : to act as though something that is not true or real is true or real : pretend
• When we were children we used to make believe (that) we were soldiers fighting in a war.
• He isn't really angry, he's just making believe (that he is).
• They want to make believe that everything is all right.
- see also make-believe
seeing is believing
✦The expression seeing is believing means that when you actually see something, you have to believe that it exists or is true.
• I didn't think it could happen, but seeing is believing. [=I saw it happen, so now I believe it's possible]
- be·liev·able /bəˈliːvəbəl/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• The novel's ending is not very believable.
• His excuse was barely/scarcely believable.
- be·liev·ably /bəˈliːvəbli/ adv
• The characters are all believably portrayed.
- be·liev·er noun, pl -ers [count]
• a believer in religion
• devout believers
• She's a firm/great/strong believer in adult education. [=she firmly/strongly believes in the value of adult education; she thinks adult education is very useful and important]
• I was doubtful that he could run his own company, but he's made a believer out of me. = He's made me a believer. [=he's convinced me that he can run his own company]