self-confidence
Americannoun
-
realistic confidence in one's own judgment, ability, power, etc.
- Synonyms:
- poise, self-respect, self-possession, assurance
-
excessive or inflated confidence in one's own judgment, ability, etc.
- Synonyms:
- self-esteem, conceit
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of self-confidence
First recorded in 1630–40
Explanation
Self-confidence is a characteristic of believing firmly in your own abilities and strengths. It took a lot of self-confidence to speak up in that student council meeting and say what you were thinking! If you have no doubt that you'll be able to perform your new song at the school talent show, you've got self-confidence. We've been using this noun since the 17th century for a particular type of confidence that's focused on individual strength and the absence of self-doubt. Your self-confidence is what allows you to do things confidently, assuredly, and with conviction.
Vocabulary lists containing self-confidence
Twins
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"With Friends Like These..." by Dorothy Rowe
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Vocabulary Review, Unit 3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Self-confidence and self-doubt would seem to be opposites, but they so often sleep in adjacent rooms.
From Washington Post • Apr. 9, 2023
Self-confidence can take a hit, and even social isolation; around half of people in their 40s and 50s say they prefer to hide their faces due to signs of age.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 21, 2022
Self-confidence is arguably one of the best life lessons a parent can instill in their child before they leave the nest.
From Fox News • Aug. 2, 2021
Self-confidence is fine for movie stars, but in the business world it stops bosses from being challenged, and from realising that their big ideas are mostly fleeting, insubstantial and troublesome.
From BBC • Aug. 18, 2015
Self-confidence is everything for military geniuses, liars like me, and decorators in trouble with the government.
From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
