I True Believed Believes Bɪˈliːv Surprised Man People

• i don't believe you!
• the man claimed to be a social worker and the old woman believed him.
• do you really believe her?
• believe me, she's not right for you.

believe

Verb Forms

1. to feel certain that something is true or that somebody is telling you the truth
• I don't believe you!
• The man claimed to be a social worker and the old woman believed him.
• Do you really believe her?
• Believe me, she's not right for you.
• I believed his lies for years.
• I find that hard to believe.
• Don't believe a word of it (= don't believe any part of what somebody is saying).
• People used to believe (that) the earth was flat.
• He refused to believe (that) his son was involved in drugs.
• I do believe you’re right (= I think something is true, even though it is surprising).

Extra Examples

• I'm inclined to believe you.
• It's hard to believe that this campaign has been going on for ten years.
• It was generally believed that evil spirits lived in the forest.
• The ad led us to believe (= made us think) that all prices had been cut.
2. to think that something is true or possible, although you are not completely certain
• ‘Where does she come from?’ ‘Spain, I believe.’
• ‘Does he still work there?’ ‘I believe so/not.’
• Police believe (that) the man may be armed.
• Experts believe that the diamond is the only one of its kind.
• l firmly believe that she is still alive.
• There is no reason to believe he is dangerous.
• It is believed that the couple have left the country.
• It is widely believed that he was forced to resign.
• Few people believe the claim that the cost of living has not risen since last year.
• The vases are believed to be worth over $20 000 each.
• Three sailors are missing, believed drowned.

Extra Examples

• We have reason to believe that the escaped prisoner may be hiding in this house.
• No one seriously believes that this war will happen.
• Paul thinks he's happy, but his mother believes otherwise.
3. to have the opinion that something is right or true
• The party believes (that) education is the most important issue facing the government.
• She believes that killing animals for food or fur is completely immoral.
• I strongly believe that competition is a good thing.
• She truly believes that love can change the world.

Extra Examples

• I personally believe that it's important.
• I've long believed that a good reputation is the most valuable asset you can have in business.
• I believe that we have a responsibility towards the less fortunate in society.
4. used to say that you are surprised or annoyed at something
• She couldn’t believe (that) it was all happening again.
• I don't believe I'm doing this!
• I can't believe how much better I feel.
• I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
5. to have a religious faith
• The god appears only to those who believe.
6. used to introduce information that is true but that may surprise people
• Believe it or not, he asked me to marry him!
7. used to emphasize that you strongly believe what you are saying
• You haven't heard the last of this, believe you me!
8. used to tell somebody that something is definitely not true
• ‘She wouldn’t do a thing like that.’ ‘Don’t you believe it!’
9. to make somebody believe/understand something
• I was given to understand that she had resigned.
10. used to say that you are surprised or annoyed about something
• I don't believe it! What are you doing here?
11. used to say that you think somebody is stupid if they believe that something is true
• ‘He promised not to do it again.’ ‘Sure, and if you believe that, you’ll believe anything.’
12. to pretend that something is true
• RELATED NOUN make-believe
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/make-believe
13. to be very surprised at something you hear/see
• I couldn't believe my eyes when she walked in.
14. used to say that somebody will have to believe that something is true when they see it, although they do not think it is true now
15. used to show that you are surprised and annoyed about something
• And, would you believe, he didn't even apologize!
16. used to tell somebody that something is definitely true
• ‘He’s not a bad player, is he?’ ‘You’d better believe it!’

Word Origin

• late Old English belȳfan, belēfan, alteration of gelēfan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch geloven and German glauben.