be·lieve
(bĭ-lēv́)
[Middle English bileven, from Old English belȳfan, belēfan, gelēfan.]
verb: -lieved, -liev·ing, -lieves.
transitive verb
- To accept as true or real: Do you believe the news stories?
- To credit with veracity: I believe you.
- To expect or suppose; think: I believe they will arrive shortly.
intransitive verb
- To have firm faith, especially religious faith.
- To have faith, confidence, or trust: I believe in your ability to solve the problem.
- To have confidence in the truth or value of something: We believe in free speech.
- To have an opinion; think: They have already left, I believe.
idioms
- believe (one's) ears
- To trust what one has heard.
- believe (one's) eyes
- To trust what one has seen.
derivatives
- be·liev́er
- noun
