a deep-seated belief — entrenched belief; a belief that is firmly established and difficult to change
collocationC1IELTS 7+neutraloccasional
A belief or opinion that is so strongly held and ingrained that it is very hard to change, often because it has existed for a long time or is rooted in personal experience or culture.
Say it like a native
Textbook This conviction is profoundly embedded within the culture.
Native It's a deep-seated belief.
'Profoundly embedded conviction' is heavy; 'deep-seated belief' is the standard phrase.
Pattern: a deep-seated belief (in/about something)
In use
- Many people have deep-seated beliefs about success that are shaped by their upbringing.society
- In my country, there is a deep-seated belief in the importance of family, which influences many aspects of daily life.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ It's a deep-seat belief.
✓ It's a deep-seated belief.
It's 'deep-seated' (with -ed) — not 'deep-seat'.
Common collocations
deep-seated belief— a, challenge, cultural, fear
Don't confuse it
Unlike 'a strong belief', which refers to the intensity of a belief, 'a deep-seated belief' emphasizes how firmly established and resistant to change the belief is, often due to long-standing habits or cultural background.