How Do You Spell BELIEVE?

Pronunciation: [bɪlˈiːv] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "believe" may be confusing for learners of English as it features the challenging "ie" combination. This word is pronounced /bɪˈliːv/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with stress placed on the second syllable. The "ie" in "believe" is pronounced as a single vowel sound, "ee," rather than two separate sounds. This can be remembered by the rule "i before e, except after c, or when sounded like 'ay' as in 'neighbor' and 'weigh.'"

BELIEVE Meaning and Definition

  1. Believe (verb): Be convinced or have faith in the truth, existence, reliability, or validity of something or someone.

    To believe is to hold a firm conviction or acceptance of a statement or idea, accepting it as true or trustworthy without requiring absolute proof. It involves having confidence in the reality, reliability, or value of something. Belief can be based on evidence, personal experiences, intuition, logical reasoning, or even faith.

    Believing often entails a mental process of accepting something as factual, plausible, or accurate. It implies a level of trust or confidence in the veracity of a concept or person. Individuals may believe in various aspects, such as religious or spiritual doctrines, scientific theories, historical events, theories of morality, or even in oneself and one's capabilities.

    Belief is a crucial aspect of human cognition as it impacts decisions, emotions, and actions. It can shape one's worldview, values, and attitudes. It often serves as a foundation for creating meaning, providing guidance, and establishing connections with others who share similar beliefs.

    However, belief is not immutable. It can be susceptible to alteration or change, influenced by new evidence, contrasting perspectives, or introspection. Skepticism, inquiry, and critical thinking allow individuals to evaluate and weigh different beliefs and their supporting evidence before forming or modifying their own.

  2. To trust in as true; to credit; to be persuaded of.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for BELIEVE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for BELIEVE

Etymology of BELIEVE

The word "believe" originated from the Old English word "belȳfan" or "gelȳfan". It can be traced back further to the West Germanic word "ga-laubjan", which means "to hold dear", "to trust", or "to believe in". This West Germanic word, in turn, finds its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "*ga-laub-". The components of this word, "*ga" and "*laub-", can be interpreted as "with" or "together" and "to permit" or "to tolerate", respectively. Therefore, the etymology of "believe" suggests the meaning of "to hold something dear" and "to have trust or faith in someone or something".

Idioms with the word BELIEVE

  • believe sth when you see it The idiom "believe something when you see it" means that one will only accept or trust information or claims after witnessing evidence or proof firsthand. It implies a skeptical or cautious approach towards accepting something as true or real without tangible verification.
  • not believe your eyes/ears The idiom "not believe your eyes/ears" refers to a state of disbelief or astonishment when faced with something that seems incredible or impossible to be true. It suggests that what one has seen or heard is so unbelievable that it challenges their perception or understanding of reality.
  • not believe your luck The idiom "not believe your luck" means to be pleasantly surprised or amazed by an unexpectedly fortunate or favorable situation or outcome. It implies a sense of disbelief or astonishment at the good fortune one has encountered.
  • not believe ears The idiom "not believe ears" is an expression used to describe the feeling of disbelief or astonishment towards something one has heard. It implies surprise or skepticism about what one's ears have perceived.
  • make believe The idiom "make believe" refers to pretending or pretending to be something or someone that one is not. It involves creating an imaginary scenario or role-playing in order to escape reality or to entertain oneself.
  • I'll believe it when I see it The idiom "I'll believe it when I see it" means that the speaker is skeptical about something until they witness it themselves or have concrete evidence of it happening. It expresses doubt or disbelief in a statement, condition, or promise until there is undeniable proof or evidence provided.
  • You better believe it! The idiom "You better believe it!" means that the statement or claim being made is entirely true and should be accepted or acknowledged without any doubt or skepticism.
  • not believe eyes The idiom "not believe eyes" means to be extremely surprised or shocked by something that is witnessed or observed, often in disbelief or astonishment. It implies that the situation or sight is so unexpected or unbelievable that one doubts what they are seeing.
  • make believe that The idiom "make believe that" means to pretend or imagine that something is true or real, even though it may not be.
  • lead to believe The idiom "lead to believe" means to make someone think or believe something, often by providing them with information or evidence that supports a certain conclusion. It implies guiding or influencing someone's understanding or perception of a situation or idea.
  • I do believe The idiom "I do believe" is typically used to indicate a statement of opinion or belief with confidence and conviction. It is often employed to express strong certainty or affirmation in something being stated or discussed.
  • hard to believe The idiom "hard to believe" means that something is difficult to accept or trust due to its seeming unlikely, extraordinary, or unbelievable nature. It signifies skepticism or doubt regarding the truthfulness or plausibility of a statement or situation.
  • Believe you me! The idiom "Believe you me!" is a phrase used to emphasize and persuade the listener to trust and have confidence in what the speaker is saying. It is often used to convey strong conviction or to emphasize the truth or importance of a statement.
  • believe me The idiom "believe me" is a phrase used to emphasize the truth or sincerity of a statement. It is typically added to convince others that what the speaker is saying is true or to assert their trustworthiness.
  • believe it or not The idiom "believe it or not" is used to preface a statement, story, or fact that may sound surprising, extraordinary, or unbelievable, but is in fact true. It serves to capture the attention and add a sense of incredulity to the information being presented.
  • believe in The idiom "believe in" means to have faith, confidence, or trust in something or someone. It implies holding a strong conviction or belief that the thing or person exists, is true, or possesses certain qualities.
  • believe a word of it The idiom "believe a word of it" means to not trust or have faith in what someone is saying. It suggests doubting the veracity or truthfulness of their statement or claim.
  • believe in sm or sth The idiom "believe in someone or something" refers to having faith or confidence in the existence, abilities, or potential of a person, idea, or concept. It implies having trust or conviction in someone or something, even in the absence of tangible evidence.
  • lead sm to believe sth The idiom "lead someone to believe something" means to give someone a specific impression or understanding that influences their thoughts or actions. It suggests that through words, actions, or a combination of both, a person or situation misguides or convinces someone to hold a certain belief or assumption, whether it is true or not.
  • not believe your ears/eyes The idiom "not believe your ears/eyes" means to be astonished or incredulous about what one is hearing or seeing. It suggests a sense of disbelief or surprise at something unexpected or extraordinary.
  • don’t you believe it! The idiom "don't you believe it!" is used to express disbelief or disagreement with a statement or claim. It is often used in response to a statement that the speaker finds to be misleading or false. Essentially, it implies that the statement being made should not be trusted or accepted as true.
  • I don’t believe it! The idiom "I don’t believe it!" is an expression used to convey surprise, disbelief, or astonishment regarding something that was unexpected or hard to accept. It is often exclaimed when one is taken aback or finds it difficult to accept the reality of a situation or information.
  • you/you’d better believe it! The idiom "you/you'd better believe it!" is an emphatic statement indicating strong agreement or confirmation. It expresses a strong conviction or assurance that something is true or will happen.
  • (one) can scarcely believe (one's) eyes The idiom "(one) can scarcely believe (one's) eyes" means that one finds something so surprising, shocking, or unbelievable that it is difficult to accept or comprehend what one is seeing. It implies that the sight is so extraordinary that it challenges one's ability to trust their own perception.
  • believe (one's) eyes The idiom "believe (one's) eyes" means to accept or trust what one sees as true or real, even if it is surprising or incredible. It implies that the visual evidence is so compelling and convincing that it cannot be doubted or questioned.
  • believe (something) of (someone) The idiom "believe (something) of (someone)" means to think or assume that a particular quality or characteristic applies to someone. It refers to having a perception or opinion regarding the capabilities, behavior, or actions of a person.
  • believe in (someone or something) The idiom "believe in (someone or something)" means to have trust, faith, or confidence in someone's abilities or the potential success or existence of something. It indicates the belief in their worth, reliability, or competence.
  • believe one's ears The idiom "believe one's ears" means to accept or trust what one has heard, even if it may seem unbelievable or surprising. It implies being astonished or amazed by the information or statement one has heard and accepting it as true.
  • give somebody to believe/understand... The idiom "give somebody to believe/understand..." means to create an impression or communicate something to someone, often with the intention of deceiving or misleading them.
  • I don’t believe this! The idiom "I don't believe this!" is an exclamation used to express astonishment, disbelief, or incredulity about a situation or event that seems improbable, unexpected, or astonishing. It is often used to convey a strong emotional reaction or surprise.
  • I'll believe it/that when I see it The idiom "I'll believe it/that when I see it" means that one refuses to believe something unless they have personal evidence or proof of its validity or occurrence. It implies skepticism or doubt regarding the truth or likelihood of a claim until it can be observed firsthand.
  • lead somebody to believe The idiom "lead somebody to believe" means to intentionally cause someone to think or assume something, typically by providing them with false or misleading information.
  • not believe (one's) ears The idiom "not believe (one's) ears" means to be astonished or shocked by what one has heard, often because it seems too surprising, unbelievable, or extraordinary to be true. It implies a sense of disbelief or incredulity.
  • not believe (one's) eyes The idiom "not believe (one's) eyes" means to be completely shocked or surprised by what one sees. It implies that something unexpected or unbelievable has been witnessed, causing disbelief or astonishment.
  • not believe a word of it The idiom "not believe a word of it" means to have complete disbelief or skepticism towards something that has been said, suggesting that one does not believe any part of the statement or story.
  • You had better believe it! The idiom "You had better believe it!" is a statement that emphatically emphasizes the truth or validity of something. It conveys a strong conviction and confidence in the statement being made, implying that there is no doubt or skepticism whatsoever.
  • you('d) better believe it The idiom "you('d) better believe it" means that the speaker is emphasizing the truth or certainty of what they just said. It implies that there is no doubt or room for disbelief in the statement being made.
  • you/you'd better believe it! The idiom "you/you'd better believe it!" is a forceful and emphatic way of affirming or confirming something, often to express strong agreement or certainty. It can be used to stress the truthfulness, reliability, or importance of a statement or claim.
  • you'd better believe it The idiom "you'd better believe it" means that something is definitely true or correct and should be accepted without doubt or hesitation. It implies strong affirmation or confirmation of a statement or claim.
  • give (one) to believe The idiom "give (one) to believe" means to intentionally or unintentionally lead someone to think or believe something, often by expressing something in a way that gives the impression it is true. It implies giving someone the impression or idea that something is true or likely, whether it is accurate or not.
  • lead (one) to believe The idiom "lead (one) to believe" means to cause or persuade someone to think or assume something, often by providing information or evidence that strongly suggests a particular outcome or conclusion. It implies that the action or information presented leads the person to form a specific belief or understanding.
  • lead someone to believe something The idiom "lead someone to believe something" means to intentionally or unintentionally convince or persuade someone to think or consider that something is true or likely to happen, even if it might not be accurate or certain.
  • (one) can hardly believe (one's) eyes The idiom "(one) can hardly believe (one's) eyes" is used to express extreme astonishment or disbelief at something that one is seeing. It implies that what one is witnessing is so surprising or unexpected that it is difficult to accept or comprehend.
  • I don't believe it! The idiom "I don't believe it!" is an exclamation used when one is shocked or surprised by something that has happened or been said. It is an expression of disbelief or incredulity towards a surprising event or information.
  • couldn't believe eyes The idiom "couldn't believe eyes" means to be extremely surprised or shocked by what one sees. It implies that the sight is so unexpected or incredible that it is difficult to accept or comprehend with one's own eyes.
  • Would you believe! The idiom "Would you believe!" is an expression used to show surprise or astonishment at something that is hard to believe or unexpected. It often indicates that the speaker is about to share an incredible or extraordinary fact or story.
  • don't you believe it! The idiom "don't you believe it!" is an exclamation used to express disbelief or skepticism towards something that has been said or claimed. It indicates that the speaker strongly disagrees or doubts the truthfulness or accuracy of the statement.
  • if you believe that, you’ll believe anything The expression "if you believe that, you'll believe anything" is a sarcastic idiom used to indicate that someone's belief in a particular statement or idea is so unrealistic or ridiculous that it suggests they are gullible or easily fooled. It implies that if someone is willing to accept such an incredulous claim, they are likely to believe even more dubious or unbelievable things.
  • If you believe that, you'll believe anything! The idiom "If you believe that, you'll believe anything!" is used to express disbelief or incredulity towards a statement or claim that seems highly unlikely or absurd. It implies that if someone is gullible enough to believe such an unbelievable statement, they would easily believe any other improbable statement as well.
  • couldn't believe your eyes The idiom "couldn't believe your eyes" means being in a state of astonishment or disbelief. It refers to a situation where someone witnesses something so surprising or unbelievable that they struggle to accept or comprehend it.
  • don't believe I've had the pleasure The idiom "don't believe I've had the pleasure" is a polite and subtly sarcastic way of conveying that one does not know or remember the person they are being introduced to or interacting with. It often implies that the person is not significant or memorable enough to have left an impression.
  • would you believe (it)? The idiom "would you believe (it)?" is a rhetorical question used to express disbelief or surprise about a particular situation, event, or fact. It emphasizes the speaker's astonishment and serves as a way to involve the listener in the astonishment as well.
  • (one) can't believe (one's) ears The idiom "(one) can't believe (one's) ears" means that someone is shocked or surprised by what they have just heard, to the point of disbelief. It implies that the information or statement is so incredible that it is difficult to accept or comprehend.
  • (I) don't believe I've had the pleasure. "(I) don't believe I've had the pleasure" is an idiom commonly used as a polite response when meeting someone for the first time, especially in a social or formal setting. It indicates that the speaker does not recall having the opportunity to meet or interact with the person before, while maintaining a polite and respectful tone.
  • You can't expect me to believe that The idiom "You can't expect me to believe that" means that the speaker finds something highly unbelievable or implausible. It implies that the person being addressed is expressing something that is difficult or impossible for the listener to accept as true.
  • Believe nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see The idiom "Believe nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see" means that one should not blindly trust everything they hear from others and should be cautious even when observing things firsthand. It advises individuals to question and critically analyze information before accepting or believing it wholeheartedly.
  • couldn't believe (one's) eyes The idiom "couldn't believe (one's) eyes" means to be so shocked or surprised by what one is seeing that it is difficult to accept or comprehend it. It implies astonishment or disbelief at something unexpected or extraordinary.
  • I believe we've met The idiom "I believe we've met" typically means that the speaker recognizes or recalls having previously encountered the person they are speaking to, even if they cannot specifically remember the details of their previous meeting. It is often used in social situations to politely acknowledge familiarity with someone, especially when the speaker may not fully remember the context or details of their past encounter.
  • I don't believe this! The idiom "I don't believe this!" is an exclamation used to express surprise, disbelief, or astonishment in response to a situation or event that is unexpected or difficult to accept as true. It signifies the speaker's shock or incredulity towards what has happened.
  • can't believe ears The idiom "can't believe ears" means to be in a state of shock or disbelief due to something that one has heard. It implies that the information or news received is so surprising or astonishing that it is difficult to accept as true.
  • I can't believe!
  • believe of
  • give somebody to believe/understand (that)…
  • believe ears
  • believe eyes
  • give to understand (or believe, etc.) To make someone believe or understand something, often without stating it directly.

Similar spelling words for BELIEVE

Conjugate verb Believe

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have believed
you would have believed
he/she/it would have believed
we would have believed
they would have believed
I would have believe
you would have believe
he/she/it would have believe
we would have believe
they would have believe

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been believing
you would have been believing
he/she/it would have been believing
we would have been believing
they would have been believing

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would believe
you would believe
he/she/it would believe
we would believe
they would believe

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be believing
you would be believing
he/she/it would be believing
we would be believing
they would be believing

FUTURE

I will believe
you will believe
he/she/it will believe
we will believe
they will believe

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be believing
you will be believing
he/she/it will be believing
we will be believing
they will be believing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have believed
you will have believed
he/she/it will have believed
we will have believed
they will have believed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been believing
you will have been believing
he/she/it will have been believing
we will have been believing
they will have been believing

IMPERATIVE

you believe
we let´s believe

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to believe

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was believing
you were believing
he/she/it was believing
we were believing
they were believing

PAST PARTICIPLE

believed

PAST PERFECT

I had believed
you had believed
he/she/it had believed
we had believed
they had believed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been believing
you had been believing
he/she/it had been believing
we had been believing
they had been believing

PRESENT

I believe
you believe
he/she/it believes
we believe
they believe

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am believing
you are believing
he/she/it is believing
we are believing
they are believing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

believing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have believed
you have believed
he/she/it has believed
we have believed
they have believed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been believing
you have been believing
he/she/it has been believing
we have been believing
they have been believing

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it believe

SIMPLE PAST

I believed
you believed
he/she/it believed
we believed
they believed

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: