believe

/bə-ˈlēv/

Middle English beleven, from Old English belēfan, from be- + lȳfan, lēfan to allow, believe; akin to Old High German gilouben to believe, Old English lēof dear

verb

  1. to consider to be true or honest

  2. to accept the word or evidence of

  3. to hold as an opinion : suppose

believe the reports

I believe you

phrasal verb

  1. to have faith or confidence in the existence of (something)

  2. to have trust in the goodness or value of (something)

  3. to have trust in the goodness or ability of (someone)

Do you believe in ghosts?

idiom

  1. —used to suggest that the listener will be surprised