believer

believer — noun

1. someone who follows a religion, or who feels sure that God exists.

1.nounB2
Definition

someone who follows a religion, or who feels sure that God exists.

Example

The old believer lit a candle before the morning service began.

religious context with believer as subject

Nina is a believer and prays quietly before every long train journey.

Common collocations
  • true believer
  • religious believer
  • believer in God
  • devout believer
Synonyms
  • worshipper

    someone taking part in acts of worship, especially at a service

  • follower

    broader word for someone who follows a religion, leader, or teaching

  • devotee

    stronger and more emotional; can be religious or not

  • faithful

    often used collectively for the members of a religious group

Antonyms
  • atheist

    someone who does not believe in God

  • unbeliever

    a person without the religious faith being discussed

Grammar Patterns

a believer in + God/religion

Usage Note

Often used with 'in' before God, a religion, or religious values. Distinguish from sense 2, which is broader and can be about teaching methods, products, exercise, or other non-religious ideas.

Common Mistakes

Mina is believer of God.
Mina is a believer in God.
use the article 'a' and the preposition 'in'.

2. someone who accepts an idea, claim, or method as true or good.

2.nounB2
Definition

someone who accepts an idea, claim, or method as true or good.

Example

Dr. Wu is a firm believer in daily walks for older adults.

collocation: firm believer in + noun phrase

After the test results, Kofi became a believer in online tutoring.

pattern: become a believer in + noun

Common collocations
  • firm believer
  • strong believer
  • become a believer
  • believer in hard work
Synonyms
  • supporter

    backs a person, plan, or group, but does not always imply deep personal conviction

  • advocate

    publicly argues in favor of an idea or course of action

  • enthusiast

    shows strong enjoyment or excitement, not necessarily a belief that something is true

  • convert

    someone newly persuaded after first doubting something

Antonyms
  • skeptic

    someone who is not easily convinced something is true or useful

  • doubter

    plain everyday word for someone who has doubts

Grammar Patterns

a believer in + idea/system/method

become a believer in + noun

Usage Note

Usually followed by 'in' plus a noun or '-ing' form: 'a believer in exercise', 'a believer in giving children jobs'. Distinguish from sense 1, which focuses on religion or God rather than general ideas, plans, or ways of doing things.

Common Mistakes

Ken is a believer of strict rules at home.
Ken is a believer in strict rules at home.
use 'in' after believer when naming the idea or method.
Idioms

be a (great/firm) believer in something

idiom

To have a strong opinion that something is good, important, or useful.

Maya is a firm believer in eating breakfast every morning.

Are you a great believer in learning by doing?

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

A 'believer' is convinced that an idea, method, or claim is right, true, or worth trusting. A 'supporter' is wider: a supporter may back a team, a plan, or a political group without feeling deep personal certainty about it. An 'advocate' goes further in public language, because an advocate speaks or argues for something openly. An 'enthusiast' mainly shows strong interest and excitement, not belief in truth or value. So a teacher can be a believer in daily reading, a parent can support the school plan, a doctor can advocate exercise, and a camera enthusiast can simply love trying new models.

believer ↗supporter ↗advocate ↗enthusiast ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • firm believer
  • strong believer
  • true believer

Phrases

  • become a believer
  • turn someone into a believer

Prepositions

  • believer in

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

Formed in English from 'believe' and the ending '-er', which makes a noun for a person who does something. The verb 'believe' comes from Old English and belongs to an old Germanic word family connected with trust and faith. So the basic meaning of 'believer' has long been 'a person who believes', first especially in religion and later more widely in ideas, methods, and claims.