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

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

I'm just trying to give them my energy and confidence because in my head, I didn't think I was going to take one.

From BBC

Ella said she had realised she wanted to change, as spice made her lose weight and confidence.

From BBC

Indian seafood exporter Abuthahir Aboobakar pointed to the fact that many of his US customers have placed orders for the coming months despite the tariffs, giving him confidence that his firm can weather the change.

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.