believe
VERB:
1. to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so:
Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully.
2. to have confidence or faith in the truth of (a positive assertion, story, etc.); give credence to.
3. to have confidence in the assertions of (a person).
4. to have a conviction that (a person or thing) is, has been, or will be engaged in a given action or involved in a given situation:
The fugitive is believed to be headed for the Mexican border.
5. to suppose or assume; understand (usually followed by a noun clause):
I believe that he has left town.
6. (tr; may take a clause as object) to accept (a statement, supposition, or opinion) as true:
I believe God exists.
7. (tr) to accept the statement or opinion of (a person) as true.
8. (intr foll by in) to be convinced of the truth or existence (of):
to believe in fairies.
9. (intr) to have religious faith.
10. (when tr, takes a clause as object) to think, assume, or suppose:
I believe that he has left already.
11. (tr; foll by of; used with can, could, would, etc) to think that someone is able to do (a particular action):
I wouldn't have believed it of him.
12. to consider to be true or honest:
believe the reports; you wouldn't believe how long it took.
13. to accept the word or evidence of:
I believe you couldn't believe my ears.
14. to hold as an opinion; suppose:
I believe it will rain soon.
15. to accept something as true, genuine, or real:
ideals we believe in; believes in ghosts.
16. to have a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion; to regard the existence of God as a fact:
Do you believe?
—usually used with in:
believe in the Scriptures.
17. to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something:
believe in exercise.
18. to hold an opinion; think:
I believe so.
Origin:
1150–1200; Middle English bileven, equivalent to bi- be- + leven, Old English (Anglian) gelēfan (cognate with Dutch gelooven, German glauben, Gothic galaubjan). British dictionary: Old English beliefan. —Dictionary.com. //
First Known Use of believe: before the 12th century. History and Etymology for believe: Middle English beleven, from Old English belēfan, from be- + lȳfan, lēfan to allow, believe; akin to Old High German gilouben to believe, Old English lēof dear — more at love. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.
Updated: 31 July 2020 {5:54 PM}
1. to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so:
Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully.
2. to have confidence or faith in the truth of (a positive assertion, story, etc.); give credence to.
3. to have confidence in the assertions of (a person).
4. to have a conviction that (a person or thing) is, has been, or will be engaged in a given action or involved in a given situation:
The fugitive is believed to be headed for the Mexican border.
5. to suppose or assume; understand (usually followed by a noun clause):
I believe that he has left town.
6. (tr; may take a clause as object) to accept (a statement, supposition, or opinion) as true:
I believe God exists.
7. (tr) to accept the statement or opinion of (a person) as true.
8. (intr foll by in) to be convinced of the truth or existence (of):
to believe in fairies.
9. (intr) to have religious faith.
10. (when tr, takes a clause as object) to think, assume, or suppose:
I believe that he has left already.
11. (tr; foll by of; used with can, could, would, etc) to think that someone is able to do (a particular action):
I wouldn't have believed it of him.
12. to consider to be true or honest:
believe the reports; you wouldn't believe how long it took.
13. to accept the word or evidence of:
I believe you couldn't believe my ears.
14. to hold as an opinion; suppose:
I believe it will rain soon.
15. to accept something as true, genuine, or real:
ideals we believe in; believes in ghosts.
16. to have a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion; to regard the existence of God as a fact:
Do you believe?
—usually used with in:
believe in the Scriptures.
17. to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something:
believe in exercise.
18. to hold an opinion; think:
I believe so.
Origin:
1150–1200; Middle English bileven, equivalent to bi- be- + leven, Old English (Anglian) gelēfan (cognate with Dutch gelooven, German glauben, Gothic galaubjan). British dictionary: Old English beliefan. —Dictionary.com. //
First Known Use of believe: before the 12th century. History and Etymology for believe: Middle English beleven, from Old English belēfan, from be- + lȳfan, lēfan to allow, believe; akin to Old High German gilouben to believe, Old English lēof dear — more at love. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.
Updated: 31 July 2020 {5:54 PM}