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

Example Sentences

Most gallingly for their menfolk, these previously disenchanted wives had also found self-confidence and a notable degree of emotional independence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

"When I had just one of my teeth missing, I couldn't smile and my self-confidence was going," says Carol Sherman, who was at the front of that huge queue in Bristol two years ago.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

As his first season progressed, Nelson leaned on the color analysts he worked with like Eric Karros, and the rest of the SportsNet LA crew to help restore some self-confidence.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

"And for sure we want to improve, we want to be better in every area, with that sense as well of self-confidence and conviction that we are on the right path."

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

But it bristled with Lawrence’s self-confidence and his manner of intuitively grasping possibilities well ahead of realities—in this case, the production of sustained resonant proton beams with a million volts of kinetic energy.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

• self-assurance