self-confidence
[self-kon-fi-duh ns, self-]
- realistic confidence in one's own judgment, ability, power, etc.
- excessive or inflated confidence in one's own judgment, ability, etc.
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Origin of self-confidence
First recorded in 1630–40
Synonyms
See more synonyms for self-confidence on Thesaurus.com1. assurance, self-possession, self-respect, poise. 2. conceit, self-esteem.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for self-confident
Contemporary Examples
Strong and self-confident middle classes are usually considered to be the most important prerequisite for democracy to work well.
But now we have a more, uh, self-confident right wing, and consequently we have a new and different calculus.
Expansive, amused, irresistibly self-confident, self-deprecating.
In the June debate in New Hampshire, Michele Bachmann made a splash with her energetic, zesty, self-confident performance.
And the self-confident Bush has not disappeared from the scene.
Historical Examples
It was wonderful to see the change in the strong, self-confident girl's manner.
The Bacillus of BeautyHarriet Stark
His kind is too arrogant, too self-confident to have recourse to untruth.
ScaramoucheRafael Sabatini
Self-confident and free from doubts, fame will be his in the state and fame be his in his home.
The Sayings Of ConfuciusConfucius
In another she had grown to womanhood and self-confident power.
The Forester's DaughterHamlin Garland
"I saw him myself," replied the man with a self-confident smile of derision.
War and PeaceLeo Tolstoy
self-confidence
- confidence in one's own powers, judgment, etc
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for self-confident
self-confidence
n.
also self confidence, 1650s, from self- + confidence.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper