be·lieve 
/bəˈli:v/ verb
be·lieves; be·lieved; be·liev·ing not used in progressive tenses /bəˈli:v/ verb 1 [+ obj] a : to accept or regard (something) as true
▪ The scientists believed the reports. ▪ Many people seem to believe that theory, but I find it hard/difficult to believe. ▪ You shouldn't believe everything you read. ▪ I knew that he was a liar and so I didn't believe a word he said. [=I didn't believe anything he said] ▪ I did not want to believe (that) it could happen. ▪ He says he'll help us, but I don't believe what he says. ▪ They were tricked into believing that he was a doctor. — opposite disbelieve
b : to accept the truth of what is said by (someone)
▪ He says he'll help us, but I don't believe him. — opposite disbelieve 2 [+ obj] : to have (a specified opinion) : think
▪ I'm beginning to believe (that) this war will never end. ▪ I used to believe (that) I was the only one who felt that way but now I know (that) there are others like me. ▪ He clearly/firmly/honestly believes (that) it is possible. = He clearly/firmly/honestly believes it (to be) possible. ▪ He had reason to believe that they would accept his offer. = He had reason for believing that they would accept his offer. ▪ She was widely believed to be guilty. [=many people believed that she was guilty] ▪ We were led to believe it was true. [=we heard, saw, or read something that made us think it was true] ▪ “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 obj] : 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 obj] : 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. ▪ “Do you think they can win?” “You/You'd better believe it!” [=yes, I definitely think so] ▪ Believe me, he can really play the game. = Believe you me, he can really play the game. ▪ I can't believe how ugly that dress is. [=what an ugly dress] ▪ 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? ▪ I can't believe [=I am amazed/surprised] that that terrible restaurant is still in business. ▪ That terrible restaurant is still in business, if you can believe it/that. ▪ Can/Would you believe it?! That terrible restaurant is still in business. ▪ You won't believe what I just heard! [=you will be very surprised by what I just heard] ▪ You wouldn't believe how long it took us to get here. [=it took us a surprisingly long/short time to get here] ▪ I don't believe it! I swept the floor 10 minutes ago, and it's already dirty again! ▪ I could not believe my good fortune/luck. ▪ It's hard to believe that he's gone. ▪ 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] ▪ “I hear that their marriage is in trouble.” “Don't you believe it! [=that is completely untrue] They're the happiest couple I know!” ▪ “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] ▪ “He says he's going to become a doctor.” “I'll believe that when I see it!”
▪ The scientists believed the reports. ▪ Many people seem to believe that theory, but I find it hard/difficult to believe. ▪ You shouldn't believe everything you read. ▪ I knew that he was a liar and so I didn't believe a word he said. [=I didn't believe anything he said] ▪ I did not want to believe (that) it could happen. ▪ He says he'll help us, but I don't believe what he says. ▪ They were tricked into believing that he was a doctor. — opposite disbelieve
b : to accept the truth of what is said by (someone)
▪ He says he'll help us, but I don't believe him. — opposite disbelieve
▪ I'm beginning to believe (that) this war will never end. ▪ I used to believe (that) I was the only one who felt that way but now I know (that) there are others like me. ▪ He clearly/firmly/honestly believes (that) it is possible. = He clearly/firmly/honestly believes it (to be) possible. ▪ He had reason to believe that they would accept his offer. = He had reason for believing that they would accept his offer. ▪ She was widely believed to be guilty. [=many people believed that she was guilty] ▪ We were led to believe it was true. [=we heard, saw, or read something that made us think it was true] ▪ “Has he accepted the job?” “I believe so.” = “So I believe.” ▪ “Has he accepted the job?” “I believe not.” = “I don't believe so.”
▪ She went to church because her family expected it, but she didn't really believe.
▪ 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]
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. ▪ They believed in liberty for all. ▪ I believe in working hard to achieve success. ▪ 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. ▪ She believes in herself and in her abilities.
▪ Do you believe in ghosts?
b : to have trust in the goodness or value of (something)
▪ She believes in (the value of) regular exercise. ▪ They believed in liberty for all. ▪ I believe in working hard to achieve success. ▪ 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]
▪ Despite his problems, his parents still believe in him. ▪ 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.
▪ 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
▪ When we were children we used to make believe (that) we were soldiers fighting in a war. ▪ He isn't really angry, he's just making believe (that he is). ▪ They want to make believe that everything is all right. — see also make-believe
▪ When we were children we used to make believe (that) we were soldiers fighting in a war. ▪ He isn't really angry, he's just making believe (that he is). ▪ They want to make believe that everything is all right. — see also make-believe
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.
▪ I didn't think it could happen, but seeing is believing. [=I saw it happen, so now I believe it's possible]
▪ I didn't think it could happen, but seeing is believing. [=I saw it happen, so now I believe it's possible]
— be·liev·able /bəˈli:vəbəl/ adjective [more believable; most believable]
▪ The novel's ending is not very believable. ▪ His excuse was barely/scarcely believable.
/bəˈli:vəbəl/ adjective [more believable; most believable] ▪ The novel's ending is not very believable. ▪ His excuse was barely/scarcely believable.
— be·liev·ably /bəˈli:vəbli/ adverb
▪ The characters are all believably portrayed.
/bəˈli:vəbli/ adverb ▪ The characters are all believably portrayed.
— be·liev·er noun, plural be·liev·ers [count]
▪ a believer in religion ▪ devout believers ▪ 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] ▪ 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]
▪ a believer in religion ▪ devout believers ▪ 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] ▪ 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]
