# belief

/bɪˈɫif/ (US) · /bɪlˈiːf/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/belief
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. acceptance of truth

noun · CEFR B1

the feeling or certainty that something is true or exists.

For teachers: the mental state of accepting a proposition or premise as being true or factual.

- Her belief in the importance of hard work helped her finish the project.
- The scientist maintained his belief that the data would eventually support his hypothesis, despite the initial setbacks in the laboratory.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'in' or a 'that' clause.

### 2. religious or moral ideas

noun · CEFR B1

a specific idea that you hold, especially about religion, politics, or what is right and wrong.

For teachers: a set of principles or tenets held by a person or group, often relating to religious or ethical systems.

- People from many different religious beliefs live together in this city.
- The constitution protects the right of every citizen to practice their deeply held moral and religious beliefs without fear of persecution.

Usage: Commonly used in the plural when referring to a person's general worldview.

### 3. trust or confidence

noun · CEFR B2

trust that someone or something is good, effective, or will be successful.

For teachers: confidence in the efficacy or reliability of a person, system, or entity.

- The team's recent wins have given the fans new belief in the manager.
- Public belief in the stability of the banking system is essential for preventing a widespread financial crisis.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'in'.

## Examples

- My belief in his honesty has never changed.
- The team's shared belief that they could win kept them motivated during the difficult final quarter.
- The philosopher argued that a justified true belief constitutes knowledge, though subsequent thinkers have proposed numerous counterexamples to challenge this classical definition.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.