believe in
English meaning: Believe in
Definition
To be certain that someone or something exists, or to trust in their ability or value.
Example
“I believe in you; you can do it.”
Another example: “Her coach told her she just needed to believe in herself a little more.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A neutral phrasal verb with two senses: being certain something exists ('do you believe in ghosts?'), and trusting in someone's ability or value ('I believe in you'). Followed by 'in'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From 'believe' plus 'in', expressing faith or trust placed in something.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- believe in yourself
- believe in god
- believe in ghosts
- strongly believe in
- believe in love
Word Forms
believes in; believed in; believing in
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B