believe
verb (transitive)
UK/bɪˈliːv/US/bɪˈliːv/
to accept or regard something as true, real, or honest; to have faith or confidence in someone or something
Example Sentences
I believe your explanation makes perfect sense.
They believe the new policy will boost productivity.
It's important to believe in yourself when pursuing challenging goals.
She doesn't believe everything she hears on social media.
Do you believe that this plan is our best option?
Sometimes, we believe in things we cannot prove or see.
He continued to believe in the project’s success, even after several setbacks, motivating the team to keep moving forward despite the difficulties.
When you truly believe in a cause, you’ll find the determination and resilience needed to overcome obstacles and rally others to join your mission.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To accept something as true, real, or honest, often without direct proof“Believe” frequently shows up in discussions about trusting statements, theories, or people. If you believe a friend’s advice, it means you have confidence in their knowledge or sincerity. In more formal contexts, like legal or academic settings, you might say, “Experts believe this method yields consistent results,” indicating scholarly consensus or professional trust. Grammatically, the verb is often followed by “that” or an object—“I believe that she will succeed” or “I believe him.” In casual conversation, you might exclaim, “Can you believe it?” to express surprise or incredulity. Pay attention to structure when negating the verb: “I don’t believe you” calls the statement or evidence into question. Using “believe” well hinges on balancing evidence with trust, acknowledging that genuine conviction sometimes stems from facts, but may also come from faith or personal feeling. Keep your context and tone in mind—an enthusiastic “I believe in you!” can motivate a friend, while a skeptical “I don’t believe that for a second” clearly signals doubt.
Alternatives
If you want to vary your wording, consider synonyms or related phrases. “Trust” highlights reliance on a person or source—“I trust his judgement.” “Accept” and “embrace” indicate readiness to take an idea or belief as valid, particularly when discussing concepts: “She accepts that the climate is changing.” “Conclude” often appears in more formal or scientific contexts—“He concludes that the data supports the theory.” “Suppose” and “assume” can subtly underscore partial doubt or a hypothetical stance, such as “I suppose he might be right,” which lacks full certainty. Meanwhile, “take someone at their word” emphasizes that you’re relying on what they said without further proof. Each alternative carries a distinct connotation: “trust” emphasizes personal confidence, “embrace” leans toward wholehearted acceptance, and “assume” suggests stepping into a viewpoint without complete verification. By picking the appropriate synonym, you can calibrate your level of certainty or emotional investment, ensuring your writing or speech remains both nuanced and precise.
Writing
In written contexts, “believe” helps articulate a stance or position, whether you’re crafting an opinion piece, a research argument, or a personal narrative. For instance, “I firmly believe that education can break cycles of poverty” signals a strong conviction about societal issues. In academic writing, you might discuss prevailing beliefs within a field: “Many researchers believe this hypothesis merits further investigation.” This usage clarifies which theory or concept you align with. Be mindful of overusing “believe” in formal papers, though, especially if you want to emphasize data over personal opinion. Words like “argue,” “assert,” or “maintain” might better convey an evidence-based perspective. If you do employ “believe,” explain why—reference supporting facts or experiences, and ensure it doesn’t overshadow more rigorous analyses. In short stories or memoirs, “believe” can convey a character’s mindset: “He began to believe the rumors,” hinting at developing trust or doubt. Regardless of genre, ensure the rationale behind “believe” is transparent and aligns with your narrative or argument’s core logic.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “believe” flows naturally when discussing hopes, doubts, or personal convictions. You might say, “I believe you’ll do great at your new job,” offering support, or “I can’t believe how quickly this year has gone by,” expressing surprise. People often use it to endorse an idea—“I really believe in self-care”—or to convey skepticism—“I’ll believe it when I see it!” Simple phrases like “Believe me,” “If you believe that…” or “Would you believe…” lighten the tone, introducing an anecdote or playful disbelief. If you’re describing a shift in perspective, “I’m starting to believe you’re right” might imply a gradual acceptance. Keep it breezy by adding context: “I believe it’s going to rain” could be more conversational if you add reasons: “I believe it’s going to rain—look at those clouds!” In casual settings, it’s fine to rely on “believe” as a versatile marker of personal stance or surprise. Just remember that adding a bit of reasoning or detail helps friends and family understand why you’ve adopted that belief or reaction.
Etymology
The verb “believe” hails from Old English “belȳfan,” with roots in the Proto-Germanic “galaubjan,” which conveyed trust, confidence, or the act of cherishing something as true. Over centuries, the term retained its link to faith or conviction, steadily evolving in Middle English as “bileven” or “beleve,” reflecting both religious devotion and everyday trust. Its modern spelling and usage emerged during the transition into Early Modern English, aligning with broader linguistic shifts influenced by Latin and French loanwords. Through medieval and Renaissance discourse—particularly in religious and philosophical contexts—“believe” affirmed that certain truths or doctrines could be accepted without empirical proof. This duality persists today: you can “believe” in a higher power, a scientific theory, or a friend’s promise. Whether referencing spiritual faith, intellectual conviction, or a leap of confidence in a fellow human, the term underscores our deep-rooted inclination to form convictions about reality—even before collecting indisputable evidence.
