confidence

American  

[kon-fi-duhns] / ˈkɒn fɪ dəns /

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.

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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.

confidence British  

/ 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

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confidence More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing confidence

• in confidence
• take into one's confidence

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Usage

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.

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• hyperconfidence noun
• nonconfidence noun
• superconfidence noun

Etymology

Origin of confidence

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

Example Sentences

Indeed, consumer confidence has been sinking for months, according to the Conference Board.

From Los Angeles Times

Dow Jones said it has confidence in the accuracy of its reporting and has moved to have the suit dismissed.

From The Wall Street Journal

"She gives Lucia confidence and helps her talk to people," she said.

From BBC

"It is up to all of us to preserve confidence in our democratic coexistence," he said, adding: "In democracy, one's own ideas can never be dogmas; nor can those of others be threats."

From Barron's

The charming Mr. Cooley, for instance, reveals how Leaf’s confidence is slowly building in the touching solo “I’m Not That Smart.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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