belief
/bɪˈliːf/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Belief is the feeling that something is true or real, or the acceptance that something is true. It can also mean a religious faith or set of ideas.
- Her belief in him never changed.
- Many people have different religious beliefs.
- There is no belief that the report is true.
Adinary Nuance
Belief is not the same as fact. It means what someone thinks is true, even without full proof. Compared with opinion, belief is usually stronger and more personal. Compared with faith, it is broader and can be religious or non-religious.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- niềm tin
- Spanish
- creencia
- Chinese
- 信念
- Japanese
- 信念
- Korean
- 믿음
Etymology
Belief came into English from Old English and was related to the verb believe. It is built from older Germanic words for trust and faith.
Common phrases
strong beliefdeep beliefbelief inreligious belief
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between belief and opinion?
- A belief feels more personal and certain. An opinion is often a view about something that can change more easily.
- Is belief used in religion?
- Yes. It often means religious faith or the ideas a religion teaches.
- Can I say "belief in"?
- Yes. We say "belief in" when someone trusts or accepts something as true.