ENGLISH
REFERENCE

believe

US //bɪˈɫiv// UK //bɪlˈiːv// be·lieve
  1. 1 to accept as true (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to think that something is true, even if you are not 100% sure.

    to accept a statement, fact, or idea as true or real without absolute proof.

    Example

    I believe that we have met somewhere before, but I forget where.

    Example

    Scientists believe that the new data will eventually confirm their theories about the planet's atmosphere.
  2. 2 to trust someone (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to trust that what someone says is the truth.

    to accept the word or testimony of a person as being truthful.

    Example

    You should believe him because he never tells lies.

    Example

    The jury found it difficult to believe the witness after several contradictions appeared in her testimony.
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 to have an opinion (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to think or have an opinion about something.

    to hold a particular opinion or to suppose something to be the case.

    Example

    I believe it is going to rain later, so take an umbrella.

    Example

    The manager believes it is in the company's best interest to delay the product launch until spring.
  2. 4 to believe in (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to feel sure that someone or something exists, or that they are good.

    to be convinced of the existence, truth, or value of something.

    Example

    Do you believe in ghosts, or do you think they are just stories?

    Example

    Many people believe in the power of education to change a person's life for the better.

    Teacher's tip

    Distinguish between 'believe someone' (trust their words) and 'believe in someone' (have confidence in their character or ability).
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁ep-der. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epsder. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epider. Proto-Indo-European *h₁pi Proto-Germanic *bider. Proto-Germanic *bi- Proto-West Germanic *bi- Proto-Indo-European *lewbʰ-der. Proto-Germanic *laubō Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Germanic *-janą Proto-Germanic *laubijaną Proto-West Germanic *laubijan Proto-West Germanic *bilaubijan Old English belīefan Middle English bileven English believe From Middle English beleven, bileven, from Old English belīefan (“to believe”), from Proto-West Germanic *bilaubijan (“to believe”), equivalent to be- + leave (“to give leave or permission to, permit, allow, grant”). Cognate with Scots beleve (“to believe”), Middle Low German belö̂ven (“to believe”), Middle High German belouben (“to believe”). A related term in Old English was ġelīefan (“to be dear to; believe, trust”), from Proto-West Germanic galaubijan (“to have faith, believe”), from Proto-Germanic galaubijaną. Compare also Old English ġelēafa (“belief, faith, confidence, trust”), Old English lēof ("dear, valued, beloved, pleasant, agreeable" > English lief). Related also to North Frisian leauwjen (“to believe”), West Frisian leauwe (“to believe”), Dutch geloven (“to believe”), German glauben (“to believe”), Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐌻𐌰𐌿𐌱𐌾𐌰𐌽 (galaubjan, “to hold dear, valuable, or satisfactory, approve of, believe”). The prepositionally transitive senses with in are a semantic loan from Latin crēdō in aliquem / aliquid.

Usage

Often followed by a 'that' clause or the preposition 'in' when expressing trust or existence.

Pitfall

I am believing you.I believe you.Believe is a stative verb and is rarely used in the continuous (-ing) form.

Idioms6 entries

© 2026 English Reference