Faith: meaning, definitions and examples

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faith

[feɪθ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

religious belief

Faith is the strong belief in a higher power or deity, often associated with organized religion. It involves trust, loyalty, and devotion to a set of beliefs or teachings.

Synonyms

belief, devotion, trust.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
faith	Typically used in a religious or spiritual context, indicating strong belief in a higher power or doctrine. It can also describe confidence in someone or something without needing proof. 'She has strong faith in her religion ' 'I have faith that everything will work out in the end '
belief	Used to describe an acceptance that something is true or exists, often with or without proof. It can apply to both religious and non-religious contexts. 'He has a belief in ghosts ' 'My belief is that honesty is the best policy '
trust	Indicates confidence or reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something. It is commonly used in interpersonal relationships or to describe the reliability of things. 'I trust you with my secrets ' 'Trust in the process, and you will succeed '
devotion	Implies a profound dedication to a cause, person, or activity, often involving love or loyalty. It is frequently used in religious settings but can also pertain to personal relationships or duties. 'Her devotion to her family is admirable ' 'He showed great devotion to his spiritual practices '

Examples of usage

I have faith in God and His plan for me.
She found comfort in her faith during difficult times.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

confidence in something

Faith can also refer to a strong belief or confidence in something or someone, even without proof. It is the belief that something will happen or is true.

Synonyms

belief, confidence, trust.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
faith	Faith is typically used in religious or spiritual contexts, where it refers to a complete trust or strong belief in something beyond proof, like in a deity or a set of religious doctrines. She has a strong faith in God Their faith in the afterlife helps them cope with loss
confidence	Confidence refers to a feeling of self-assurance arising from one's abilities or qualities. It is generally used in contexts related to personal abilities, performance, or trust in oneself. She spoke with confidence during the presentation His confidence grew with each successful project
trust	Trust is about relying on the integrity, strength, or ability of a person or thing. It is often used in personal and professional relationships where reliability and dependability are crucial. I have complete trust in my best friend It is important to trust your team members
belief	Belief can refer to the acceptance that something exists or is true, especially without proof. It is often used in a broader scope than 'faith' and can apply to secular ideas as well as religious ones. He has a belief in the value of hard work Her belief in the paranormal is strong

Examples of usage

I have faith in your abilities to succeed.
Despite the challenges, they held onto faith that things would get better.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

loyalty

Faith can also mean loyalty or allegiance to a person, cause, or organization. It is the commitment to stand by someone or something no matter what.

Synonyms

allegiance, commitment, loyalty.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
faith	Use when talking about belief or trust in something or someone, particularly in a religious context or in a strong conviction. She has strong faith in her religious practices. John's faith in his team's ability never wavered.
loyalty	Use when describing a strong feeling of support or allegiance, especially in personal relationships or to brands and teams. Their loyalty to each other was evident during tough times. Brand loyalty can sometimes override rational decision-making.
commitment	Best used for expressing dedication or obligation to a cause, activity, or relationship, often implying a promise or ongoing effort. His commitment to the project ensured its success. She showed her commitment to her studies by attending every class.
allegiance	Applicable when referring to loyalty or devotion to a group, person, country, or cause, often formal or solemn. The knight pledged his allegiance to the king. Her allegiance to the organization was unquestionable.

Examples of usage

She showed unwavering faith to her friends in times of need.
The soldier's faith to his country was unwavering.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin word 'fides', meaning trust or confidence.
In Old French, it was 'feid', which also means faith or trust, showing a long history of belief in ideas and people.
The concept has evolved in languages, emphasizing trust and reliance over centuries.

Religion

In Christianity, faith is often considered a gift from God that leads to salvation.
Many religions view faith as not just belief but the act of trusting in a higher power or divine plan.
In Buddhism, faith is seen as important for developing wisdom and understanding.

Psychology

Studies show that having faith can significantly improve a person’s mental health by providing hope and reducing anxiety.
Faith can act as a coping mechanism during difficult times, helping people to navigate through personal struggles.
Psychological theories suggest that faith contributes to resilience by fostering optimism.

Literature

Faith is a common theme in literature, symbolizing hope, trust, and sometimes conflict between belief and doubt.
Many great works, from classic novels to modern poetry, explore the concept of faith in various contexts, creating relatable characters.
Famous authors like John Milton and Victor Hugo have used faith as a pivotal aspect of their narratives to depict human struggle.

Pop Culture

Many popular songs and movies communicate themes of faith, capturing the essence of hope and belief in both oneself and others.
Icons like Muhammad Ali often spoke about faith, connecting it to personal empowerment and activism.
Cults of faith in television, such as character arcs in 'The X-Files', often navigate distrust in institutions and highlight the struggle for personal belief.

Translations

Translations of the word "faith" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fé

🇮🇳 विश्वास

🇩🇪 Glaube

🇮🇩 iman

🇺🇦 віра

🇵🇱 wiara

🇯🇵 信仰 (shinkō)

🇫🇷 foi

🇪🇸 fe

🇹🇷 inanç

🇰🇷 믿음 (mideum)

🇸🇦 إيمان (īmān)

🇨🇿 víra

🇸🇰 viera

🇨🇳 信仰 (xìnyǎng)

🇸🇮 vera

🇮🇸 trú

🇰🇿 сенім

🇬🇪 რწმენა (rtsmena)

🇦🇿 iman

🇲🇽 fe

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,059, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.

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1062 regular
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