Definition and meaning of English word "believe"
believe
/bɪˈliːv/
Meaning
VerbTo accept as true, particularly without absolute certainty (i.e., as opposed to knowing).
How to use
The verb 'believe' is commonly used in everyday conversations, often expressing a degree of uncertainty or faith in a statement or situation. A typical context for 'believe' is in discussions about opinions, rumors, or unverified information. One notable grammatical nuance is that 'believe' is often followed by a clause beginning with 'that,' as in 'I believe that she will come.' A common learner mistake is to confuse 'believe' with 'think,' where 'believe' implies a stronger sense of conviction.
🇬🇧 English
believe
Example
I believe in the power of love.
She believes in herself.
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationCommon phrases
- believe in— have confidence or faith in
- believe it or not— used to express surprise or skepticism
- make believe— to pretend or imagine
More Core Verbs words
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #708 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "believe" mean?▼
The English word "believe" means "believe" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "believe"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "believe" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "believe"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "I believe in the power of love." (which translates as "believe").
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