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

---

self-confidence British  

noun

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

---

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

Mr. Stoll projects a slick self-confidence that seems slightly put-on, a hard crust over a more complicated personality.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

But he also sees the series as another opportunity to demonstrate his craft and the strong self-confidence he has possessed ever since he was young.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

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

Parents say having positive women of color as role models is crucial for building self-confidence in girls of color.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

He was only twelve then, but he could have been twenty-two: his quick-fire intelligence was already being cooled by gravity, the brittle self-assuredness of adolescence already annealing into the self-confidence of adulthood.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Related Words

• self-assurance