trust
trust — verb
1. to feel certain that a person is honest, reliable, and will not cause you harm,
to feel certain that a person is honest, reliable, and will not cause you harm, or that an object or system is safe and will perform as expected
The team members trusted their new manager to make fair decisions.
trust + noun phrase + to-infinitive
The elderly woman would not trust anyone else with the keys to her flat.
trust + noun phrase + with + noun phrase
The community has always trusted the local newspaper for honest reporting.
trust + noun phrase + for + noun phrase
It took months for the rescue dog to trust its new owner.
Can we really trust the results of a test carried out in a hurry?
- trust implicitly
- trust completely
- trust blindly
- trust sb with a secret
- trust sb to do the right thing
- rely on
suggests practical dependence more than emotional confidence
- count on
emphasises that plans or expectations rest on someone's behaviour
- have faith in
stronger, often with emotional or spiritual overtones
Grammar Patterns
trust + noun phrase
trust + noun phrase + to-infinitive
trust + noun phrase + with + noun phrase
Usage Note
Often used with a to-infinitive clause (trust sb to do sth) or with an object followed by 'with' (trust sb with sth). The negative imperative 'don't trust…' is common as a warning. The intransitive use typically appears with 'in' (trust in sb/sth).
Common Mistakes
2. to be certain that a particular fact is correct or that an event will happen, es
to be certain that a particular fact is correct or that an event will happen, especially when based on good reasons rather than hard proof — for example, trusting that a delayed train will arrive, or that an investment will grow
The board of directors trusts that the new policy will improve company results.
trust + that-clause for confident expectation
The family trusts that the medical team is doing everything possible for their son.
The charity trusts that the donated funds will reach the communities that need them most.
The head teacher trusts the matter will be handled with great care.
trust + (that) — 'that' omitted
- trust (that) everything will be fine
- trust (that) the matter is settled
- trust (that) all is well
- assume
more neutral; implies something is taken for granted
- presume
formal; suggests confidence based on likelihood
- be confident
less formal alternative that expresses certainty
Grammar Patterns
trust + that-clause
trust + (that) + clause
Usage Note
Almost always followed by a that-clause, though 'that' is often omitted in less formal writing. The subject is typically 'I' or 'we' when expressing a polite wish or hope. This sense carries a formal tone; in everyday conversation, 'hope' or 'think' is more natural.
Common Mistakes
❌ 'I trust you are well.' (sending to a close friend in a casual text) — While grammatically correct, this sounds overly formal. Use 'I hope you are well' instead.
trust to
phrasal verbto rely on luck, chance, or circumstances when you have no other choice or have not made careful plans
The stranded hikers had no map and could only trust to luck to find their way back.
The rescue team had to trust to fortune when their communication equipment failed.
trust — noun
1. the strong feeling that a person is honest, reliable, and will not harm you, or
the strong feeling that a person is honest, reliable, and will not harm you, or that something is safe and will perform correctly
Building trust between a manager and their team takes time and consistent effort.
uncountable; used with 'build'
The success of any partnership depends on mutual trust and open communication.
collocation: mutual trust
Trust between a doctor and a patient is essential for good medical treatment.
The elderly woman placed her trust in the young carer who visited her every morning.
phrase: place your trust in
Without trust, no team can function properly or achieve its goals.
- build trust
- earn trust
- lose trust
- mutual trust
- public trust
- blind trust
- place your trust in
- confidence
broader term; can apply to abilities as well as character
- faith
stronger and more emotional; often used in spiritual contexts
- reliance
emphasises the practical need to depend on someone or something
Usage Note
Uncountable. Often modified by adjectives such as 'mutual,' 'complete,' 'blind,' or 'public.' Common in the fixed expression 'place your trust in [sb/sth].' The verb phrase 'earn someone's trust' implies that trust is built through actions over time.
Common Mistakes
2. the act of accepting a statement or claim as accurate without demanding any fact
the act of accepting a statement or claim as accurate without demanding any facts or verification
The jury accepted the witness's entire statement on trust.
fixed phrase: on trust
The old man took the mechanic's estimate on trust and paid the full amount in advance.
The committee asked members to take the safety report on trust rather than demand an audit.
take something on trust
The young couple took the estate agent's word on trust when they signed the rental agreement.
- take on trust
- accept on trust
- take someone's word on trust
- credence
formal; giving belief to a report or claim
- acceptance
more general; receiving something as true without challenge
- scepticism
a tendency to question or doubt claims without evidence
- disbelief
refusal to accept something as true
Usage Note
Uncountable. This sense almost always appears in the fixed expressions 'take [sth] on trust' or 'accept [sth] on trust.' Unlike noun sense 1 (BELIEF), this meaning focuses on accepting a statement or claim as true without verification, rather than on confidence in a person's character.
3. a formal legal setup where an individual or organisation holds and manages asset
a formal legal setup where an individual or organisation holds and manages assets on behalf of a different person, often for a defined duration or until a particular event happens
The lawyer explained that the money would be held in a trust for the children until they turned twenty-one.
countable: a trust
The wealthy landowner set up a trust to manage his properties after his death.
collocation: set up a trust
The trust was created to protect the family's assets for several future generations.
Under the terms of the trust, the farmland cannot be sold until all the beneficiaries agree.
The funds from the trust can only be used to pay for the grandchildren's school fees.
uncountable use: from the trust
- create a trust
- set up a trust
- hold in trust
- trust fund
- trust deed
- terms of the trust
Usage Note
Can be countable (a trust, two trusts) or uncountable. The uncountable use refers to the legal arrangement as a concept; the countable use refers to a specific fund or estate managed under such an arrangement. Key legal terms: 'settlor' (the person who creates the trust), 'trustee' (the person who manages it), and 'beneficiary' (the person who benefits from it).
4. an organisation or company that manages money, property, or investments on behal
an organisation or company that manages money, property, or investments on behalf of other people or for a charitable purpose
The investment trust manages a large portfolio of shares and bonds for its clients.
countable; collocation: investment trust
The charitable trust donated over a million pounds to local schools last year.
collocation: charitable trust
The trust was founded in 1950 to support scientific research and public education.
Several housing trusts work together to provide affordable homes in the city centre.
- charitable trust
- investment trust
- housing trust
- trust manager
- trust board
- trust company
Usage Note
Countable. Refers to the organisation itself, not just the legal arrangement. Often preceded by an adjective describing the purpose: 'charitable trust,' 'investment trust,' 'housing trust.' Unlike sense 3 (LEGAL ARRANGEMENT), which names the legal structure, this sense names the entity that operates within that structure.
5. included as a word in the titles of various banking and financial companies
included as a word in the titles of various banking and financial companies
The customer opened a savings account at the Northern Counties Trust bank.
used in proper noun: Northern Counties Trust
The business has been banking with the Merchants Trust for over thirty years.
The board of the Allied Trust voted to merge with a larger European bank.
The finance director recommended switching the company accounts to the Pacific Trust.
- Trust bank
- Allied Trust
- Merchants Trust
- Northern Trust
Usage Note
Countable. Always appears as part of a proper noun and is capitalised within the full name. This is a naming convention rather than a distinct meaning; the institution typically offers standard banking services alongside trust management.
6. several businesses that combine illegally to limit market competition, fix price
several businesses that combine illegally to limit market competition, fix prices, or dominate an industry
The three energy companies were accused of forming an illegal trust to fix prices.
countable; collocation: form a trust
The government introduced new laws to break up the powerful railroad trusts of the nineteenth century.
collocation: break up a trust
The steel trust controlled more than eighty per cent of the national market.
Several small retailers complained that the transport trust was driving them out of business.
- form a trust
- break up a trust
- anti-trust law
- trust-busting
- industrial trust
- railroad trust
- competition
the normal market condition that trusts aim to eliminate
Usage Note
Countable. Chiefly North American English. Refers to historical business combinations from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as the Standard Oil trust. The term survives today mainly in legal texts and historical writing. The related adjective 'anti-trust' (or 'antitrust') describes laws designed to prevent such monopolies.
trust in
idiomto have confidence or faith in someone or something, especially in a higher principle or in someone's ability to provide support
The villagers put their trust in the river to provide enough water for their crops each season.
The charity asks supporters to place their trust in the knowledge and experience of its field workers.
in trust
idiomheld or managed by one person or organisation for the benefit of another, especially under a legal arrangement
The family farm was held in trust for the grandchildren until they reached the age of twenty-five.
The painting was left in trust to the national museum after the collector's death.
take on trust
idiomto believe that something is true without asking for proof or checking the facts
The journalist took the minister's version of events entirely on trust without checking the official records.
The committee warned members not to take the financial figures on trust without examining the original data.
trust fund
idioman amount of money or property that is managed by one person or organisation for the benefit of another person, typically a child or young adult
The artist lived on a trust fund set up by his grandparents when he was a child.
The proceeds from the sale of the house were placed in a trust fund for the orphanage.
Being cared for or looked after by a specific person.
The children were left in the trust of their aunt.
Our cat stayed in the trust of a neighbor during the trip.
To accept what someone says as true without having any proof.
Maya took his explanation on trust without asking questions.
Can we take these numbers on trust, or should we verify them?
Word family
- trusteenounB2
- trustworthyadjectiveB2
- trustyadjectiveC1
- distrustnounB2
- distrustverbB2
- entrustverbB2
- trustingadjectiveB2
- mistrustnounB2
- mistrustverbB2
- trustfulnessnounC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
Trust is the broadest of these terms, covering a general belief that someone is honest, reliable, and will not harm you. 'Rely on' adds a note of functional dependence — you rely on something to perform a practical task, such as relying on a bus timetable to be accurate. 'Count on' is closer to 'rely on' but emphasises that your plans or expectations rest on someone's behaviour; for example, counting on a colleague to finish their share of a project. 'Have faith in' is more emotional and often carries spiritual or deeply personal overtones — you have faith in a friend's ability to overcome a serious illness. In everyday usage: 'I trust my doctor's medical advice' (general confidence), 'I rely on the train to get me to work on time' (functional dependence), 'I am counting on you to lock up when you leave' (a plan depends on someone), and 'The community has faith in the new head teacher's vision for the school' (deeper emotional commitment).
Common collocations
Adverbs
- implicitly
- completely
- absolutely
- entirely
- fully
- blindly
Phrases
- a breach of trust
- a position of trust
- a relationship of trust
Etymology
The word 'trust' comes from Old Norse 'traust,' meaning 'confidence, help, support.' It entered English during the Viking Age settlement period and is related to the Old English adjective 'trēowe' (faithful, true) and the noun 'trēowþ' (truth, pledge). By the 13th century, both noun and verb forms were established in Middle English with meanings of 'reliance on someone's integrity' and 'to have confidence in.' The legal sense of a property arrangement developed in the 16th century, and the commercial anti-competition sense emerged in the late 19th century in the United States.