believe

verb

be·​lieve bə-ˈlēv How to pronounce believe (audio)
believed; believing

transitive verb

1
a
: to consider to be true or honest
believe the reports
you wouldn't believe how long it took
b
: to accept the word or evidence of
I believe you
couldn't believe my ears
2
: to hold as an opinion : suppose
I believe it will rain soon

intransitive verb

1
a
: to accept something as true, genuine, or real
ideals we believe in
believes in ghosts
b
: 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
2
: to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something
believe in exercise
3
: to hold an opinion : think
I believe so
believer noun
Phrases
not believe
: to be astounded at
I couldn't believe my luck

Examples of believe in a Sentence

I have watched the many ways that teachers demonstrate pleasure in what students have said or done. I used to believe that teachers needed to present a stoic face for fear of losing control—as if smiling caused bad behavior. Nancy Mack, English Journal, September 2008
Scientists kept a close eye on Mount Saint Helens. The volcano in Washington State spewed steam and ash throughout the month, leading experts to believe that it could erupt at any time. Time For Kids, 17 Dec. 2004
They parted as casually as any friends who believe they will meet in a few days. But each knew the other was in deadly peril of his life. Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain, 1943
The scientists believed the reports. Many people seem to believe that theory, but I find it hard to believe. You shouldn't believe everything you read. He says he'll help us, but I don't believe what he says. They were tricked into believing that he was a doctor. He says he'll help us, but I don't believe him. She went to church because her family expected it, but she didn't really believe.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Furthermore, Flick doesn't believe that there is an overdependence on the prodigy, with Barca only losing in the league this season when he hasn't been involved or started - away at Osasuna in September and again on the road Real Sociedad last time out. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024 Researchers believe that resveratrol has similar protective effects on the body. Barbie Cervoni, Health, 23 Nov. 2024 Where the note came from, its two-page length and the specific amount of money demanded (which police later learned was almost the same amount as John's previous Christmas bonus) led some investigators to believe that it had been staged. Emily Blackwood, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024 Roman emperor Domitian is believed to have put on a sea battle in the Colosseum in 85 AD, for instance. Zack Sharf, Variety, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for believe 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of believe was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near believe

Cite this Entry

“Believe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/believe. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

believe

verb
be·​lieve bə-ˈlēv How to pronounce believe (audio)
believed; believing
1
: to have a firm religious faith
2
: to have faith or confidence in the existence or worth of
believe in ghosts
believe in regular exercise
3
: to accept as true
believe the reports
4
: to accept the word or evidence of
they believed us
I could hardly believe my ears
5
: to hold as an opinion : think
believe it will rain
believable
-ˈlē-və-bəl
adjective
believably
-blē
adverb
believer noun

Legal Definition

believe

transitive verb
be·​lieve
believed; believing
: to consider to be true or honest

More from Merriam-Webster on believe

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