believable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "believable" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a statement or story that appears to be true or credible. For example: "The witness's story was so convincing it was almost believable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It doesn't help that the show's star, the perky Jordana Spiro, best known for comedy My Boys, makes one of the least believable screen doctors ever.

The Guardian

‘Yeah, I think people’s interest is valid, if I’m honest,’ says Carlyle. ‘But I also believe that the more you expose your private self as an actor, the less believable you will be.

The Guardian - Film

It all sure sounds believable coming out of his mouth though, doesn't it?

The Guardian

I felt part of the story and the fact that is was narrated by Death just made it all the more believable!

The Guardian

His reputation as an incorruptible politician who lives modestly rendered his pledges to tackle government graft believable.

The Guardian - Opinion

McNulty and Greggs's "turning" of both Omar and Bubbles in this series seems very believable – although the blind eye the two detectives later turn to some of Omar's more outrageous misdeeds stretches credibility a bit.

The Guardian

It's scarcely believable the humble Highlanders could actually still finish on top.

The Guardian - Sport

So how do you create characters that are interesting, believable, flawed, complex, dynamic?

The Guardian

Politics is persuasion and "to be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible" wrote the American journalist Edward R Murrow.

The Guardian - Opinion

This Cinderella story began with a 2-1 defeat of FC Halifax Town back on 9 November in the first round and since then Dartford have been defeated 4-1, Millwall (4-0 in a replay after a 3-3 draw), Chelsea on that scarcely believable day when José Mourinho's team went 2-0 up, and Sunderland, whose 2-0 defeat hardly felt a shock given that previous result.

The Guardian - Sport

JH: You have to serve the script, yes …but it has to be in character to be believable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In persuasive writing, reinforce "believable" claims with specific, verifiable details to strengthen their impact on the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "believable" as a standalone descriptor without providing supporting evidence or logical reasoning. Ensure that your claims are substantiated with facts, data, or expert opinions to enhance credibility.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "believable" functions primarily to describe a noun by attributing to it the quality of being credible or capable of being believed. Ludwig AI confirms the word is correct and usable in written English, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "believable" functions as an adjective denoting credibility or plausibility. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically sound and widely accepted in the English language. It is predominantly used in news and media contexts to describe accounts, stories, or characters that are easy to accept as true. While interchangeable with "credible" and "plausible", "believable" stresses the capacity to be believed. When using "believable", it is essential to provide sufficient evidence to substantiate claims, enhancing the persuasive power of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

credible

Focuses more on the quality of being convincing and trustworthy.

plausible

Suggests that something is seemingly or apparently valid or acceptable.

convincing

Emphasizes the power to persuade someone that something is true.

tenable

Describes something that can be defended successfully against opposition.

reliable

Highlights the consistency and dependability of the information.

trustworthy

Stresses the integrity and honesty of the source or information.

authentic

Indicates that something is genuine and not a fabrication.

verifiable

Points to the possibility of confirming the truth through evidence.

acceptable

Suggests that something meets a certain standard or requirement to be considered true.

persuasive

Highlights the effectiveness in convincing someone of something.

FAQs

How can I use "believable" in a sentence?

You can use "believable" to describe something that is capable of being believed or is credible. For example, "The witness provided a believable account of the incident."

What are some alternatives to using the word "believable"?

Alternatives to "believable" include "credible", "plausible", or "convincing", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something is "very believable"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say something is "very believable". It simply emphasizes the degree to which something is believable.

What's the difference between "believable" and "credible"?

"Believable" generally refers to the capacity to be believed, while "credible" often emphasizes the quality of being convincing or trustworthy. They are often interchangeable, but "credible" can suggest a higher standard of evidence.