believe
believe Lexical Profile
believe Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To accept that something is true, genuine, or real, especially without absolute proof.
"Scientists once struggled to make the public believe that microscopic organisms caused disease."
To accept the statement of a person as truthful or honest.
"The committee chose to believe the witness after reviewing the supporting documents."
To hold an opinion, supposition, or conviction that something is the case.
"I believe the lecture starts at two o'clock, though we should check the schedule."
To have religious faith or spiritual conviction.
"Many people across different cultures believe in a higher power or spiritual order."
Word Nuance & Usage
Notice the distinction between 'believe [someone]' (to accept that what they are saying is true) and 'believe in [someone/something]' (to have faith in the existence, value, or ability of that person or thing).
• Rhymes for believe
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'bileven', altered from Old English 'gelefan' ('to believe, trust'), which traces back to a Proto-Germanic root shared with 'love' and 'lief' meaning 'to hold dear or esteem'.