|
| be·lieve [ bi lv ] (past and past participle be·lieved, present participle be·liev·ing, 3rd person present singular be·lieves) |
verb |
|
| Definition: |
| |
1. transitive verb accept something as true: to accept that something is true or real
  I don't know which story to believe.
|
2. transitive verb accept somebody as truthful: to accept that somebody is telling the truth
Nobody will believe you!
I don't believe him.
|
3. transitive verb credit somebody with something: to accept that somebody or something has a particular quality or ability
No one believed her capable of such a malicious remark.
|
4. intransitive verb think that something exists: to be of the opinion that something exists or is a reality, especially when there is no absolute proof of its existence or reality
believe in reincarnation
|
5. intransitive verb have trust: to be confident that somebody or something is worthwhile or effective
We all believe in you.
|
6. intransitive verb think something is good: to be of the opinion that something is right or beneficial and, usually, to act in accordance with that belief
believed strongly in freedom of expression
|
7. intransitive verb have religious faith: to have a belief in God or in a religion's gods
|
| [ Old English belyfan, alteration of gelēfan< Germanic, "to love, trust"] |
|
| be·liev·er noun |
|
|
make believe to pretend, especially in play
|
