confide

[kuhn-fahyd]

verb (used without object)

confided, confiding 

1. to impart secrets trustfully; discuss private matters or problems (usually followed byin ).

   She confides in no one but her husband.

2. to have full trust; have faith.

   They confided in their own ability.

verb (used with object)

confided, confiding 

1. to tell in assurance of secrecy.

   He confided all his plans to her.

   Synonyms: impart, divulge, reveal, disclose

2. to entrust; commit to the charge or knowledge of another.

   She confided her jewelry to her sister.

confide

/ kənˈfaɪd /

verb

1. to disclose (secret or personal matters) in confidence (to); reveal in private (to)

2. to have complete trust

3. (tr) to entrust into another's keeping

Other Word Forms

• confider noun
• preconfide verb
• unconfided adjective
• well-confided adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of confide¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin confīdere, from con- con- + fīdere “to trust” (akin to fidēs “faith, trust”; fidelity )

Word History and Origins

Origin of confide¹

C15: from Latin confīdere, from fīdere to trust; related to Latin foedus treaty

Example Sentences

Ms Johnson said her mother confided she had been trying to take her own life but this was rejected by staff who said Mrs Scott was "attention seeking".

Read more on BBC

"We stop work in the middle of the afternoon. We never drive at night," confided one.

Read more on Barron's

Not knowing where to turn, Puech confided in a friend, a former French ambassador, who advised him to conduct an audit.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Ms. Keaton’s la-di-da breeziness was one of her most sneakily beguiling qualities; she came across as the best friend you’d love to confide in because you knew she didn’t hold herself higher than you.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Victoria said that she never confided in her parents about her eating disorder, nor did she ever speak about it publicly.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admit 
• confess 
• disclose 
• impart 
• reveal 
• suggest 
• whisper