noun
belief
bih-LEEF
noun
1
The mental acceptance that something is true, even without complete proof.
"It is her firm belief that hard work always pays off."
2
Religious faith, or a set of religious or moral convictions.
"The community is united by a shared belief in helping neighbours in need."
How to Use Belief
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething you accept as true, or trust and faith in general.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a strong belief
religious belief
beyond belief
Word Forms
beliefs plural
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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."