Definition of BELIEF

belief

Plural: beliefs

Noun

  • An acceptance that a statement is true or something exists.
  • any cognitive content held as true
  • a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
    • "it strengthened my belief in his sincerity"
  • Mental acceptance of a claim as true.
  • 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.
  • Something believed.
  • The quality or state of believing.
  • Religious faith.
  • One's religious or moral convictions.

Examples

  • Based on this data, it is our belief that X does not occur.
  • I can't do that. It's against my beliefs.
  • It is my firm belief that ’Q’ is the most powerful letter.
  • It's my belief that the thief is somebody known to us.
  • My belief is that there is a bear in the woods. Bill said he saw one.
  • My belief that it will rain tomorrow is strong.
  • She often said it was her belief that carried her through the hard times.
  • The ancient people have a belief in many deities.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English bileve, from Old English lēafa, from Proto-West Germanic *laubu from Proto-Germanic *laubō. Compare German Glaube (“faith, belief”).
The replacement of final /v/ with /f/ is due to the analogy of noun-verb pairs with /f/ in the noun but /v/ in the verb, creating a pair belief : believe on the model of e.g. grief : grieve or proof : prove.

Antonyms

unbelief, disbelief

Scrabble Score: 11

belief: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
belief: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
belief: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 13

belief: valid Words With Friends Word