believe

be|lieve [ bı`liv ] verb ***

1. ) transitive to think that a fact is true:

Astronomers knew the Earth was round, but few people believed it.

believe (that): I don't believe that she's ever been to Hong Kong.

be widely/generally believed (=be believed by a lot of people): It is widely believed that the virus originally came from monkeys.

find it hard/difficult to believe: She found it hard to believe that he was a real businessman.

I would never have believed: I would never have believed such a place existed if I hadn't seen it for myself.

a ) to think that what someone has said is true:

He told me his version of events, but I didn't believe a word of it.

I did pay the money back! OK, OK I believe you!

The police didn't believe her story.

2. ) transitive to have an opinion about what is true or what might happen, although there is no proof: THINK:

believe (that): Scientists believe a cure for the disease will be discovered soon.

reason to believe: There is no reason to believe that he is not telling the truth.

honestly/truly believe: I honestly believe he really loved her.

believe someone (to be) something: I would never have believed him capable of walking out on his kids.

lead someone to believe something (=make someone think something): We were led to believe we could make a large profit.

a ) someone/something is believed to be used for saying that it is the general opinion of most people that something is true although it has not been proved:

A third man is missing and is believed to have been taken into police custody.

3. ) intransitive to have a religious belief:

Do you still believe?

believe it or not SPOKEN

used for emphasizing that something is very surprising but true:

Jason and Mel are finally getting married, believe it or not!

believe (you) me SPOKEN

used for emphasizing that what you are saying is true, especially when you are warning someone about something:

All this is going to cause a lot of trouble, believe you me.

can't believe your eyes/ears INFORMAL

used for emphasizing that you are extremely surprised or angry about something you have seen or heard:

What was he saying? I could hardly believe my ears!

can't believe your luck SPOKEN

to be extremely surprised and pleased because something good has happened to you by chance:

She couldn't believe her luck when she saw the place was empty.

can't/don't believe it SPOKEN

1. ) used for emphasizing that you are extremely surprised or shocked:

He's got into Harvard University. I don't believe it!

2. ) used when something annoys you:

I just don't believe it! I left my keys in the car again.

don't you believe it SPOKEN

used to emphasize to someone that something is not true

I do believe BRITISH SPOKEN

used for saying that you suddenly realize something, and that you are surprised by it:

I do believe you're in love with her yourself!

if you believe that, you'll believe anything SPOKEN

used for telling someone that they are stupid to believe something

would you believe it? SPOKEN

used for showing that you think something is surprising or funny:

And they want me to sing would you believe it?

you'd better believe it SPOKEN

used for telling someone that something is definitely true and that they should take it seriously

you would not believe SPOKEN

used when you are going to tell someone about something unusual or surprising:

You would not believe who I met this afternoon!

be`lieve ,in phrasal verb transitive

1. ) believe in someone/something to think that someone or something exists:

I don't believe in miracles.

I'm beginning to think you actually believe in ghosts!

2. ) believe in something to think that an idea or a way of doing something is good or right:

She used to say she didn't believe in marriage.

3. ) believe in someone to feel confident that a person or organization is good or reliable:

Some of his previous supporters have stopped believing in him.