believe
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
believes;
believed;
believing
believes;
believed;
believing
Britannica Dictionary definition of BELIEVE
not used in progressive tenses
1
[+ object]
a
:
to accept or regard (something) as true
—
opposite disbelieve
-
The scientists believed the reports.
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Many people seem to believe that theory, but I find it hard/difficult to believe.
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You shouldn't believe everything you read.
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I knew that he was a liar and so I didn't believe a word he said. [=I didn't believe anything he said]
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I did not want to believe (that) it could happen.
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He says he'll help us, but I don't believe what he says.
-
They were tricked into believing that he was a doctor.
b
:
to accept the truth of what is said by (someone)
—
opposite disbelieve
-
He says he'll help us, but I don't believe him.
2
[+ object]
:
to have (a specified opinion)
:
think
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I'm beginning to believe (that) this war will never end.
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I used to believe (that) I was the only one who felt that way but now I know (that) there are others like me.
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He clearly/firmly/honestly believes (that) it is possible. = He clearly/firmly/honestly believes it (to be) possible.
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He had reason to believe that they would accept his offer. = He had reason for believing that they would accept his offer.
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She was widely believed to be guilty. [=many people believed that she was guilty]
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We were led to believe it was true. [=we heard, saw, or read something that made us think it was true]
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“Has he accepted the job?” “I believe so.” = “So I believe.”
-
“Has he accepted the job?” “I believe not.” = “I don't believe so.”
3
[no object]
:
to regard the existence of God as a fact
:
to have religious beliefs
-
She went to church because her family expected it, but she didn't really believe.
4
[no object]
:
to have trust in the ability, worth, etc., of someone or something
-
The team hasn't won a championship in many years, but their fans still believe. [=their fans still believe in them; their fans still believe that they will win]
5
informal
— used for emphasis in phrases that express certainty, surprise, annoyance, etc.
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“Do you think they can win?” “You/You'd better believe it!” [=yes, I definitely think so]
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Believe me, he can really play the game. = Believe you me, he can really play the game.
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I can't believe how ugly that dress is. [=what an ugly dress]
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You broke the window? I can't believe you guys! [=I'm annoyed and shocked by what you did] How could you do such a thing?
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I can't believe [=I am amazed/surprised] that that terrible restaurant is still in business.
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That terrible restaurant is still in business, if you can believe it/that.
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Can/Would you believe it?! That terrible restaurant is still in business.
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You won't believe what I just heard! [=you will be very surprised by what I just heard]
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You wouldn't believe how long it took us to get here. [=it took us a surprisingly long/short time to get here]
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I don't believe it! I swept the floor 10 minutes ago, and it's already dirty again!
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I could not believe my good fortune/luck.
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It's hard to believe that he's gone.
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His latest movie, believe it or not, is a romantic comedy about a group of lawyers. [=it is surprising but true that his latest movie is a romantic comedy about a group of lawyers]
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“I hear that their marriage is in trouble.” “Don't you believe it! [=that is completely untrue] They're the happiest couple I know!”
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“He says he's going to become a doctor.” “If you believe that, you'll believe anything!” [=it would be very foolish to believe that he is going to become a doctor]
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“He says he's going to become a doctor.” “I'll believe that when I see it!”
believe in
[phrasal verb]
1
believe in (something)
a
:
to have faith or confidence in the existence of (something)
-
Do you believe in ghosts?
b
:
to have trust in the goodness or value of (something)
-
She believes in (the value of) regular exercise.
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They believed in liberty for all.
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I believe in working hard to achieve success.
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She doesn't believe in using pesticides. [=she doesn't believe that it's right to use pesticides; she believes that pesticides do more harm than good]
2
believe in (someone)
:
to have trust in the goodness or ability of (someone)
-
Despite his problems, his parents still believe in him.
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She believes in herself and in her abilities.
can't believe your eyes/ears
◊ If you can't believe your eyes/ears or can hardly/scarcely believe your eyes/ears, you are very surprised at or upset by what you are seeing or hearing.
-
I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw what he was wearing.
make believe
:
to act as though something that is not true or real is true or real
:
pretend
—
see also make-believe
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When we were children we used to make believe (that) we were soldiers fighting in a war.
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He isn't really angry, he's just making believe (that he is).
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They want to make believe that everything is all right.
seeing is believing
◊ The expression seeing is believing means that when you actually see something, you have to believe that it exists or is true.
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I didn't think it could happen, but seeing is believing. [=I saw it happen, so now I believe it's possible]
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The novel's ending is not very believable.
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His excuse was barely/scarcely believable.
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The characters are all believably portrayed.
— believer
noun, plural believers [count]-
a believer in religion
-
devout believers
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She's a firm/great/strong believer in adult education. [=she firmly/strongly believes in the value of adult education; she thinks adult education is very useful and important]
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I was doubtful that he could run his own company, but he's made a believer out of me. = He's made me a believer. [=he's convinced me that he can run his own company]
