Believe vs. Belief — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 26, 2023
Believe is a verb that means to have faith or confidence in something or someone. Belief is a noun referring to a firmly held conviction or acceptance that something is true or exists.
Difference Between Believe and Belief
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Key Differences
Believe: A verb, denoting an action or mental process. Belief: A noun, representing a concept, idea, or state of mind.
Believe: Used to express an individual's act of accepting or having confidence in something. Belief: Refers to the specific conviction or principle that someone holds.
Believe: The base form of the verb, used in various tenses (believed, believing). Belief: The singular noun form, with the plural being "beliefs."
Compare with Definitions
Believe
To accept as true or real.
He believes that hard work leads to success.
Belief
A firmly held conviction or acceptance.
Her belief in equality drives her activism.
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Believe
To hold a particular conviction or opinion.
They believe in the importance of education.
Belief
A core principle or faith in a particular ideology.
Freedom of speech is a fundamental belief in democratic societies.
Believe
To trust or have confidence in a person's words.
I believe what you're saying is true.
Belief
An acceptance that something is true or exists.
The belief in climate change is supported by scientific evidence.
Believe
To consider something likely or plausible.
Many people believe in extraterrestrial life.
Belief
A mental attitude or confidence in one's abilities.
Self-belief is essential for personal growth.
Believe
To have faith or confidence in something or someone.
She believes in the power of positive thinking.
Belief
The acceptance of religious or spiritual doctrines.
His belief in God shapes his moral values.
Believe
Accept that (something) is true, especially without proof
The superintendent believed Lancaster's story
Some 23 per cent believe that smoking keeps down weight
Belief
A belief is an attitude that something is the case, or that some proposition about the world is true. In epistemology, philosophers use the term "belief" to refer to attitudes about the world which can be either true or false.
Believe
Hold (something) as an opinion; think
I believe we've already met
Four men were believed to be trapped
Belief
The mental act, condition, or habit of placing trust or confidence in another
My belief in you is as strong as ever.
Believe
To accept (something) as true or real
Do you believe his version of what happened?.
Belief
Mental acceptance of and conviction in the truth, actuality, or validity of something
His explanation of what happened defies belief.
Believe
To consider (someone) to be truthful or accurate in what they are saying
I believe you when you say that your neighbor is angry.
Belief
Something believed or accepted as true, especially a particular tenet or a body of tenets accepted by a group of persons.
Believe
To expect or suppose; think
I believe it will snow tomorrow. I believe the letters to be authentic.
Belief
Mental acceptance of a claim as true.
It's my belief that the thief is somebody known to us.
Believe
To have religious faith
He believes in God.
Belief
Faith or trust in the reality of something; often based upon one's own reasoning, trust in a claim, desire of actuality, and/or evidence considered.
My belief is that there is a bear in the woods. Bill said he saw one.
Based on this data, it is our belief that X does not occur.
Believe
To have faith, confidence, or trust
I believe in your ability to solve the problem.
Belief
(countable) Something believed.
The ancient people have a belief in many deities.
Believe
To consider something to be important, worthwhile, or valuable
I believe in free speech.
Belief
(uncountable) The quality or state of believing.
My belief that it will rain tomorrow is strong.
Believe
(transitive) To accept as true, particularly without absolute certainty (i.e., as opposed to knowing).
If you believe the numbers, you'll agree we need change.
I believe there are faeries.
Belief
(uncountable) Religious faith.
She often said it was her belief that carried her through the hard times.
Believe
(transitive) To accept that someone is telling the truth.
Why did I ever believe you?
Belief
(in the plural) One's religious or moral convictions.
I can't do that. It's against my beliefs.
Believe
(intransitive) To have religious faith; to believe in a greater truth.
After that night in the church, I believed.
Belief
Assent to a proposition or affirmation, or the acceptance of a fact, opinion, or assertion as real or true, without immediate personal knowledge; reliance upon word or testimony; partial or full assurance without positive knowledge or absolute certainty; persuasion; conviction; confidence; as, belief of a witness; the belief of our senses.
Belief admits of all degrees, from the slightest suspicion to the fullest assurance.
Believe
To opine, think, reckon.
Do you think this is good? —Hmm, I believe it's okay.
Belief
A persuasion of the truths of religion; faith.
No man can attain [to] belief by the bare contemplation of heaven and earth.
Believe
To exercise belief in; to credit upon the authority or testimony of another; to be persuaded of the truth of, upon evidence furnished by reasons, arguments, and deductions of the mind, or by circumstances other than personal knowledge; to regard or accept as true; to place confidence in; to think; to consider; as, to believe a person, a statement, or a doctrine.
Our conqueror (whom I nowOf force believe almighty).
King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets ?
Often followed by a dependent clause.I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Belief
The thing believed; the object of belief.
Superstitious prophecies are not only the belief of fools, but the talk sometimes of wise men.
Believe
To have a firm persuasion, esp. of the truths of religion; to have a persuasion approaching to certainty; to exercise belief or faith.
Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.
Belief
A tenet, or the body of tenets, held by the advocates of any class of views; doctrine; creed.
In the heat of persecution to which Christian belief was subject upon its first promulgation.
Believe
To think; to suppose.
I will not believe so meanly of you.
Belief
Any cognitive content held as true
Believe
Accept as true; take to be true;
I believed his report
We didn't believe his stories from the War
She believes in spirits
Belief
A vague idea in which some confidence is placed;
His impression of her was favorable
What are your feelings about the crisis?
It strengthened my belief in his sincerity
I had a feeling that she was lying
Believe
Judge or regard; look upon; judge;
I think he is very smart
I believe her to be very smart
I think that he is her boyfriend
The racist conceives such people to be inferior
Believe
Be confident about something;
I believe that he will come back from the war
Believe
Follow a credo; have a faith; be a believer;
When you hear his sermons, you will be able to believe, too
Believe
Credit with veracity;
You cannot believe this man
Should we believe a publication like the National Inquirer?
Common Curiosities
Is "believe" always followed by an object or clause?
Yes, "believe" is typically followed by an object or clause indicating what is being believed.
What does "believe" mean?
"Believe" is a verb that signifies having faith, confidence, or acceptance in something as true or real.
Can "believe" be used in various tenses?
Yes, "believe" can be conjugated into different tenses, such as "believed" and "believing."
Are beliefs always related to religion?
No, beliefs can encompass a wide range of convictions, including religious, cultural, philosophical, or personal beliefs.
Do beliefs influence behavior?
Yes, beliefs often guide an individual's actions, decisions, and values.
Can "believe" refer to beliefs of others?
Yes, it can express one's acceptance or trust in the beliefs, statements, or actions of others.
Is "believe" related to personal convictions or opinions?
"Believe" can relate to personal convictions, opinions, or trust in various contexts.
Can "belief" refer to collective principles or values?
Yes, "belief" can represent shared principles or ideologies held by groups, societies, or cultures.
Can "belief" be pluralized?
Yes, the plural form is "beliefs," referring to multiple convictions or accepted principles.
What is the meaning of "belief"?
"Belief" is a noun referring to a firmly held conviction, acceptance, or trust in something as true or existing.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
