Phrase guide

leap of faith

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The act of believing in something despite a lack of proof of its truth or existence, or the attempt of something without being sure of its possible outcome.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: leap in the dark, act of faith
  • He took a leap of faith by publishing his first book independently.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: leap in the dark, act of faith

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Often attributed to Søren Kierkegaard, although he never used the exact wording.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 選擇相信 /选择相信 (xuǎnzé xiāngxìn) — act of believing in something despite proof
  • Chinese Mandarin: 信仰之躍 /信仰之跃 (xìnyǎng zhī yuè) — act of believing in something despite proof
  • Finnish: uskon hyppy — act of believing in something despite proof
  • French: acte de foi — act of believing in something despite proof
  • Greek: τυφλή πίστη (tyflí písti) — act of believing in something despite proof
  • Italian: atto di fede — act of believing in something despite proof
  • Polish: skok wiary — act of believing in something despite proof
  • Portuguese: salto da fé — act of believing in something despite proof
  • Spanish: salto de fe — act of believing in something despite proof