Reading Theme:
Belief: Definition, Usage & Key Distinctions (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：strong conviction (belief)
belief
/bɪˈliːf/
n.
Something you feel very sure about in your heart or mind, often related to your values or religion.
strong conviction
➕
/strɒŋ kənˈvɪkʃən/
n.
A firm acceptance that something is true or exists, often based on personal values or religious teachings.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old English 'geleafa', meaning trust or faith, related to Germanic languages.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'be-leaf' – a leaf firmly attached, symbolizing steadfast conviction.
📖 Example
Despite many challenges, her strong belief in the power of education kept her teaching in the remote village.
This sentence illustrates how a deeply held conviction about education's importance motivated her to continue teaching in a remote area.
🔗 Collocations
strong belief – a deeply held conviction
religious belief – faith related to religion
core belief – a fundamental principle or value
🔄 Synonyms
faith (n.) – complete trust or confidence in someone or something
conviction (n.) – a firmly held belief or opinion
trust (n.) – firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something
🚫 Antonyms
doubt (n.) – a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction
skepticism (n.) – an attitude of doubting the truth of something
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
Belief originates from Old English 'geleafa', evolving to denote acceptance without proof, central in religious and philosophical contexts.
Meaning 2：firm opinion (belief)
belief
/bɪˈliːf/
n.
The feeling of being sure that something is true or real, even if you cannot prove it.
firm opinion
➕
/fɜːrm əˈpɪnjən/
n.
A mental acceptance that something is true, often without requiring proof.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
There is a widespread belief that drinking warm milk helps you sleep better, though not everyone agrees.
This example shows a common but unproven notion that many people accept as true.
🔗 Collocations
widespread belief – a commonly held opinion
false belief – an incorrect assumption
popular belief – a widely accepted idea
🔄 Synonyms
opinion (n.) – a view or judgment formed about something
assumption (n.) – something accepted as true without proof
notion (n.) – a conception or idea
🚫 Antonyms
doubt (n.) – a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction
uncertainty (n.) – the state of being unsure about something
Wordbook
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