believe

verb (not used in the progressive tenses) feel certain 1 to feel certain that sth is true or that sb is telling you the truth: [VN] I don't believe you! * I believed his lies for years. * The man claimed to be a social worker and the old woman believed him. * I find that hard to believe. * Believe me, she's not right for you. * Don't believe a word of it (= don't believe any part of what sb is saying). * [V(that)] People used to believe (that) the earth was flat. * He refused to believe (that) his son was involved in drugs. think possible 2 to think that sth is true or possible, although you are not completely certain: [V(that)] Police believe (that) the man may be armed. * [VN(that)] It is believed that the couple have left the country. * [VNtoinf] The vases are believed to be worth over $20000 each. * [V] 'Where does she come from?' 'Spain, I believe.' * 'Does he still work there?' 'I believe so / not.' * [VN-ADJ] Three sailors are missing, believed drowned. have opinion 3 [V(that)] to have the opinion that sth is right or true: The party believes (that) education is the most important issue facing the government. * She believes that killing animals for food or fur is completely immoral. be surprised / annoyed 4 (don't / can't ~ sth) used to say that you are surprised or annoyed at sth: [V(that)] She couldn't believe (that) it was all happening again. * I don't believe I'm doing this! * [Vwh-] I can't believe how much better I feel. religion 5 [V] to have a religious faith: The god appears only to those who believe. IDIOMS believe it or not (spoken) used to introduce information that is true but that may surprise people: Believe it or not, he asked me to marry him! believe (you) me (spoken) used to emphasize that you strongly believe what you are saying: You haven't heard the last of this, believe you me! don't you believe it! (spoken) used to tell sb that sth is definitely not true: 'She wouldn't do a thing like that.' 'Don't you believe it!' I don't believe it! (spoken) used to say that you are surprised or annoyed about sth: I don't believe it! What are you doing here? if you believe that, you'll believe anything (spoken) used to say that you think sb is stupid if they believe that sth is true: 'He promised not to do it again.' 'Sure, and if you believe that, you'll believe anything.' make believe (that...) to pretend that sth is true relatednounMAKE-BELIEVE not believe your ears / eyes (spoken) to be very surprised at sth you hear/see: I couldn't believe my eyes when she walked into the room. seeing is believing (saying) used to say that sb will have to believe that sth is true when they see it, although they do not think it is true now would you believe (it)? (spoken) used to show that you are surprised and annoyed about sth: And, would you believe, he didn't even apologize! you / you'd better believe it! (spoken) used to tell sb that sth is definitely true: 'He's not a bad player, is he?' 'You'd better believe it!' moreatGIVEv. PHRASALVERBS believe in sb/sth to feel certain that sb/sth exists: Do you believe in God? believe in sb to feel that you can trust sb and/or that they will be successful: They need a leader they can believe in. * I never thought I could make it as an actor, but my parents always believed in me. believe in sth to think that sth is good, right or acceptable: [+-ing] I don't believe in hitting children.: Do you believe in capital punishment? believe sth of sb to think that sb is capable of sth: Are you sure he was lying? I can't believe that of him.