believes

9 definitions • 15 examples

to think that something is true, correct, or real:

Strangely, no one believed us when we told them we'd been visited by a creature from Mars.

[ + that ] He believes that all children are born with equal intelligence.

She's arriving tomorrow, I believe.

"Is she coming alone?" "We believe not/so (= we think she is not/is)."

[ + obj + to infinitive ] I believe her to be the finest violinist in the world.

[ + obj + adj ] All the crew are missing, believed dead.

to not believe that something is true:

He told me she was just a friend, but I don't believe a word of it!

said when telling someone about something that is true, although it seems unlikely:

He's upstairs doing his homework, believe it or not.

said when emphasizing that something is true:

Believe me, I was scared!

something that you say to emphasize that something is obviously not true:

He said the car in front backed into him, and if you believe that, you'll believe anything!

to pretend or imagine:

Let's make believe (that) we're pirates.

to think that something is true or correct:

[ T ] One juror said he didn’t believe the policeman’s testimony.

[ + (that) clause ] She believed (that) it was wrong to censor the text.

If you believe in something, you feel that it is right:

[ I always + adv/prep ] I believe in giving a person a second chance.

If you believe in someone you have confidence in that person's abilities:

[ I always + adv/prep ] We just need to believe in ourselves.