confidence

[kon-fi-duhns]

noun

1. full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing.

   We have every confidence in their ability to succeed.

   Synonyms: dependence, reliance, faith
   Antonyms: mistrust

2. belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities; self-confidence; self-reliance; assurance.

   His lack of confidence defeated him.

3. certitude; assurance.

   He described the situation with such confidence that the audience believed him completely.

4. a secret that is confided or imparted trustfully.

   The friends exchanged many confidences over the years.

5. vote of confidence.

6. presumption; impudence.

   Her disdainful look crushed the confidence of the brash young man.

7. Archaic.,  something that gives confidence; ground of trust.

confidence

/ ˈkɒnfɪdəns /

noun

1. a feeling of trust in a person or thing

   I have confidence in his abilities

2. belief in one's own abilities; self-assurance

3. trust or a trustful relationship

   take me into your confidence

4. something confided or entrusted; secret

5. as a secret

Other Word Forms

• hyperconfidence noun
• nonconfidence noun
• superconfidence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of confidence¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin confīdentia; confide, -ence

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in confidence, as a secret or private matter, not to be divulged or communicated to others; with belief in a person's sense of discretion.

   I told him in confidence.

More idioms and phrases containing confidence

• in confidence
• take into one's confidence

Synonym Study

See trust. Confidence, assurance both imply a faith in oneself. Confidence may imply trust in oneself or arrogant self-conceit. Assurance implies even more sureness of oneself; this may be shown as undisturbed calm or as offensive boastfulness.

Example Sentences

That's still a wise mindset when thinking about how the rest of this group might pan out - confidence laced with caution, positivity laced with prudence.

From BBC

But that’s who Asante is, in Year 2 at Hamilton, confidence brimming as he wore a black and green suit after returning from an eight-year coaching retirement to revitalize the Yankees program.

From Los Angeles Times

If “Romulus” represents the start of a new branch for the franchise, perhaps whoever determines its next chapter can draw on the confidence of knowing they don’t have to elevate another Ripley clone.

From Salon

In the global bond markets, the rates that investors demand for borrowing dropped sharply, reversing a surge earlier in the week, as confidence grew in a Fed rate cut.

From BBC

"He's only 16 but already plays with confidence and personality and is unafraid of the occasion," said Jimenez, a legendary figure for Mexico himself.

From BBC

Related Words

• assurance 
• certainty 
• courage 
• determination 
• morale 
• poise 
• spirit 
• tenacity 

When To Use

What does confidence mean?

Confidence is full trust or belief in the reliability of someone or something, The fans had confidence that their team would win.Confidence is also a belief in one’s self, also called self-confidence. If you have confidence in yourself that you can earn a spot on the basketball team, you believe you can get on the team.Confidence is also a certitude about something, as in When you walk with confidence, people pay attention to you.A confidence is also a secret that you share with someone. To take someone into your confidence is to share a secret with them, trusting that they won’t share it with anyone else.Example: He showed confidence during the interview so I think he is the better candidate for the position.