belief

Universal Words noun 1 [U] ~ (in sth/sb) a strong feeling that sth/sb exists or is true; confidence that sth/sb is good or right: I admire his passionate belief in what he is doing. * belief in God / democracy * The incident has shaken my belief (= made me have less confidence) in the police. 2 [sing.,U] ~ (that...) an opinion about sth; sth that you think is true: She acted in the belief that she was doing good. * Contrary to popular belief (= in spite of what people may think), he was not responsible for the tragedy. * There is a general belief that things will soon get better. 3 [C,usually pl.] something that you believe, especially as part of your religion: religious / political beliefs * A society should be judged on its beliefs and values. compareDISBELIEF, UNBELIEF IDIOMS beyond belief (in a way that is) too great, difficult, etc. to be believed: Dissatisfaction with the government has grown beyond belief. * icy air that was cold beyond belief * It is beyond belief that anyone could commit such a crime. moreatBEGGARv., BESTn.