belief
bih-LEEF
Belief (noun) means the mental acceptance that something is true, even without complete proof. Example: “It is her firm belief that hard work always pays off.”
noun
1
The mental acceptance that something is true, even without complete proof.
"It's my belief that the thief is somebody known to us."
"It is her firm belief that hard work always pays off."
"Despite the evidence, he held a stubborn belief that the plan would work."
"Many people share the belief that honesty is the best policy."
2
Religious faith, or a set of religious or moral convictions.
"I can't do that. It's against my beliefs."
"She often said it was her belief that carried her through the hard times."
"The community is united by a shared belief in helping neighbours in need."
"Her religious belief gives her strength during difficult times."
"The festival is open to people of every faith and belief."
How to use belief
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething you accept as true, or trust and faith in general.
Common pairings
a strong belief
religious belief
beyond belief
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Word forms
- Plural
- beliefs
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It is her firm _____ that hard work always pays off.
Etymology
From Old English geleafa via Middle English bileve — related to German Glaube. The final sound shifted from a "v" to an "f" sound by analogy with pairs like "grief/grieve" and "proof/prove."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unbelief
disbelief
Related words
Rhymes for belief
See all rhymes for belief →Frequently asked questions
What does “belief” mean?
The word “belief” means the mental acceptance that something is true, even without complete proof. In plain terms, something you accept as true, or trust and faith in general.
How do you pronounce “belief”?
“Belief” is pronounced bih-LEEF (/bɪˈliːf/ in IPA).
How do you use “belief” in a sentence?
Here is “belief” used in a sentence: “It is her firm belief that hard work always pays off.”
What is another word for “belief”?
Words with a similar meaning to “belief” include assumption, premise, faith, opinion, tenet and conviction.
What is the opposite of “belief”?
The opposite of “belief” — its antonyms — is disbelief.
What part of speech is “belief”?
“Belief” is a noun.
Where does the word “belief” come from?
The word “belief” comes from Old English. From Old English geleafa via Middle English bileve — related to German Glaube. The final sound shifted from a "v" to an "f" sound by analogy with pairs like "grief/grieve" and "proof/prove.".
Is “belief” a common word?
“Belief” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between belief and believe?
Belief is a noun, the thing you hold to be true, as in a strong belief in fairness. Believe is the verb, the act of accepting something as true, as in I believe you. They sound slightly different too, belief ending in an s sound and believe in a z sound. Mixing up the spelling is a common slip.
What is the difference between belief and faith?
Belief is accepting that something is true, often based on some reasoning or evidence. Faith is stronger trust that holds firm even without proof, and it frequently carries a religious or deeply personal sense. All faith involves belief, but faith adds commitment and loyalty that plain belief does not require.
What is the difference between belief and knowledge?
Knowledge is something you accept as true and can justify with solid evidence or proof. Belief is acceptance that something is true even without complete proof, so it may turn out to be mistaken. You can believe something without knowing it, but you cannot truly know something that is false.
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