Word
believable
Phoneticsbe·liev·able
US/bəˈɫivəbəɫ/
UK/bɪlˈiːvəbəl/
Definition
adj. seeming like it could be true or real. You use this to describe a story, an excuse, or a character that you can trust or imagine actually happening.
adj. capable of being accepted as true, real, or credible. Often used to evaluate the quality of a narrative or the sincerity of a person's claims.
Examples
“The actor gives a very believable performance.”
“The witness provided a believable account of the events, which helped the jury reach a quick decision.”
“While the plot of the novel is somewhat far-fetched, the protagonist's emotional journey remains entirely believable due to the author's nuanced understanding of human grief.”
Examples
simple
“The actor gives a very believable performance.”
contextual
“The witness provided a believable account of the events, which helped the jury reach a quick decision.”
complex
“While the plot of the novel is somewhat far-fetched, the protagonist's emotional journey remains entirely believable due to the author's nuanced understanding of human grief.”
Usage
Often follows linking verbs like 'seem', 'sound', or 'look'.
Pitfall
The story was very believeable.
The story was very believable.
The silent 'e' at the end of 'believe' is dropped before adding the suffix '-able'.
Etymology
From Middle English bilevable, beleevable, equivalent to believe + -able.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/believable