Believe | Mean of believe in English Dictionary

/bəˈliːv/

• Verb
• to accept or regard (something) as true
1. The scientists believed the reports.
2. Many people seem to believe that theory, but I find it hard/difficult to believe.
3. You shouldn't believe everything you read.
4. I knew that he was a liar and so I didn't believe a word he said. [=I didn't believe anything he said]
5. I did not want to believe (that) it could happen.
6. He says he'll help us, but I don't believe what he says.
7. They were tricked into believing that he was a doctor.
• to accept the truth of what is said by (someone)
1. He says he'll help us, but I don't believe him.
• to have (a specified opinion)
1. I'm beginning to believe (that) this war will never end.
2. I used to believe (that) I was the only one who felt that way but now I know (that) there are others like me.
3. He clearly/firmly/honestly believes (that) it is possible. = He clearly/firmly/honestly believes it (to be) possible.
4. He had reason to believe that they would accept his offer. = He had reason for believing that they would accept his offer.
5. She was widely believed to be guilty. [=many people believed that she was guilty]
6. We were led to believe it was true. [=we heard, saw, or read something that made us think it was true]
7. “Has he accepted the job?” “I believe so.” = “So I believe.”
8. “Has he accepted the job?” “I believe not.” = “I don't believe so.”

• to regard the existence of God as a fact
1. She went to church because her family expected it, but she didn't really believe.
• to have trust in the ability, worth, etc., of someone or something
1. 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]
• to have faith or confidence in the existence of (something)
1. Do you believe in ghosts?
• to have trust in the goodness or value of (something)
1. She believes in (the value of) regular exercise.
2. They believed in liberty for all.
3. I believe in working hard to achieve success.
4. 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]
• to have trust in the goodness or ability of (someone)
1. Despite his problems, his parents still believe in him.
2. She believes in herself and in her abilities.
• to act as though something that is not true or real is true or real
1. When we were children we used to make believe (that) we were soldiers fighting in a war.
2. He isn't really angry, he's just making believe (that he is).
3. They want to make believe that everything is all right.