trust
truhst
Trust (noun) means Firm belief in the reliability or honesty of someone or something. Example: “It took years to rebuild trust after the betrayal.”
noun
1
Firm belief in the reliability or honesty of someone or something.
"It took years to rebuild trust after the betrayal."
"Employees need to feel trust in their manager's decisions."
"Children learn trust when adults keep the promises they make to them."
2
A legal arrangement where property or money is held by one party for the benefit of another.
"Her grandfather set up a trust so she'd receive the money at twenty-five."
"The family put the house in a trust for the children."
"A solicitor explained how the trust would pay for her university fees."
verb
1
To believe in the reliability or truth of someone or something.
"I trust you to lock up when you leave."
"She didn't trust the rumours she'd heard about him."
"You can trust my brother with a secret; he never tells anyone."
How to use trust
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBelieving that someone or something is reliable, or (in law/finance) a formal setup where property is managed on someone else's behalf.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
build trust
break someone's trust
a trust fund
trust someone with something
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Word forms
- Plural
- trusts
- Third person singular
- trusts
- Past tense
- trusted
- Comparative
- more trust
- Superlative
- most trust
- Archaic forms
- trustest, trustedst, trusteth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It took years to rebuild _____ after the betrayal.
Etymology
Traced back to Old Norse traust ("confidence, protection"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning firm or solid — the same root behind "true" and "tree."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for trust
See all rhymes for trust →Frequently asked questions
What does “trust” mean?
The word “trust” means firm belief in the reliability or honesty of someone or something. In plain terms, believing that someone or something is reliable, or (in law/finance) a formal setup where property is managed on someone else's behalf.
How do you pronounce “trust”?
“Trust” is pronounced truhst (/tɹʌst/ in IPA).
How do you use “trust” in a sentence?
Here is “trust” used in a sentence: “It took years to rebuild trust after the betrayal.”
What is another word for “trust”?
Words with a similar meaning to “trust” include belief, confidence, faith, expectation and hope.
What is the opposite of “trust”?
The opposite of “trust” — its antonyms — are distrust, mistrust, untrust and wantrust.
What part of speech is “trust”?
Depending on how it is used, “trust” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “trust” come from?
The word “trust” comes from Old Norse. Traced back to Old Norse traust ("confidence, protection"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning firm or solid — the same root behind "true" and "tree.".
Is “trust” a common word?
“Trust” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between trust and truce?
Though they sound alike, the words are unrelated. Trust is a firm belief in someone's honesty or reliability. A truce is a temporary agreement between opponents to stop fighting for a while. You place trust in a friend, but you call a truce with a rival. Only their spelling and sound overlap.
What is the difference between trust and faith?
Trust is usually built on evidence — you trust people because experience shows they are reliable. Faith is stronger belief that may not depend on proof, and is often used in a spiritual sense. In everyday life the words overlap, but trust leans on track record while faith can hold without it.
Can trust be rebuilt once it is broken?
Yes, but it takes time and effort. Rebuilding trust usually means the person who broke it showing consistent honesty, taking responsibility, and following through on promises over a long period. The other person must also be willing to risk believing again. It rarely returns instantly, but it can be restored.
Why is trust important?
Trust is the foundation of strong relationships, teams, and societies. It lets people rely on one another without constantly checking up, which saves effort and builds cooperation. In friendships it brings closeness, in business it underpins deals, and in communities it holds people together. Without trust, relationships and agreements quickly break down.
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