trust

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.

“Trust” is pronounced truhst (/tɹʌst/ in IPA).

Here is “trust” used in a sentence: “It took years to rebuild trust after the betrayal.”

Words with a similar meaning to “trust” include belief, confidence, faith, expectation and hope.

The opposite of “trust” — its antonyms — are distrust, mistrust, untrust and wantrust.

Depending on how it is used, “trust” can be a noun and a verb.

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.".

“Trust” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

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.

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.

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.

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.