believe

verb [T]

/bɪˈliːv/

Definition

A2 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.Believing not believe a word of it › to not believe that something is true: He told me she was just a friend, but I don't believe a word of it!Not believing believe it or not B1 (also would you believe it?) › said when telling someone about something that is true, although it seems unlikely: He's upstairs doing his homework, believe it or not.BelievingExpressions of surprise if you believe that, you'll believe anything! informal › 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!True, real, false, and unrealNot believing make believe › to pretend or imagine: Let's make believe (that) we're pirates. → See also make-believeFaking and pretending

(Definition of believe verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)