self-confidence

American  

[self-kon-fi-duhns, self-] / ˌsɛlfˈkɒn fɪ dəns, ˈsɛlf- /

Also self-assurance

noun

1. realistic confidence in one's own judgment, ability, power, etc.

   Synonyms:

   poise, self-respect, self-possession, assurance

2. excessive or inflated confidence in one's own judgment, ability, etc.

   Synonyms:

   self-esteem, conceit

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self-confidence British  

noun

1. confidence in one's own powers, judgment, etc

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Other Word Forms

• self-confident adjective
• self-confidently adverb

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.

Example Sentences

Just because the strident crunch of Freya Ridings' recent singles conjures up images of a medieval army riding into battle, that doesn't mean she's a warrior queen blessed with bottomless self-confidence.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

"Iceland is strong economically, but also in terms of national self-confidence, and thus able to make this decision," she said.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

We regularly took our toddlers to the park so they could build self-confidence on the jungle gyms, and we took our teenagers to visit the city’s cultural attractions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

He recently told Sports Illustrated, however, that his self-confidence should not be mistaken for arrogance.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2025

Pierced by every word that was spoken, the tight balloon of Bernard’s happy self-confidence was leaking from a thousand wounds.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

Related Words

• self-assurance