confidence

[ kon-fi-duhns ]

noun

1. full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing:

   We have every confidence in their ability to succeed.

   Synonyms: dependence, reliance, faith

   Antonyms: mistrust

2. belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities; self-confidence; self-reliance; assurance:

   His lack of confidence defeated him.

3. certitude; assurance:

   He described the situation with such confidence that the audience believed him completely.

4. a secret that is confided or imparted trustfully:

   The friends exchanged many confidences over the years.

5. vote of confidence.
6. presumption; impudence:

   Her disdainful look crushed the confidence of the brash young man.

7. Archaic. something that gives confidence; ground of trust.

confidence

/ ˈkɒnfɪdəns /

noun

1. a feeling of trust in a person or thing

   I have confidence in his abilities

2. belief in one's own abilities; self-assurance
3. trust or a trustful relationship

   take me into your confidence

4. something confided or entrusted; secret
5. in confidence
   as a secret

Other Words From

• hy·per·con·fi·dence noun
• non·con·fi·dence noun
• su·per·con·fi·dence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of confidence¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin confīdentia; confide, -ence

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in confidence, as a secret or private matter, not to be divulged or communicated to others; with belief in a person's sense of discretion:

   I told him in confidence.

More idioms and phrases containing confidence

In addition to the idiom beginning with confidence , also see in confidence ; take into one's confidence .

Synonym Study

See trust. Confidence, assurance both imply a faith in oneself. Confidence may imply trust in oneself or arrogant self-conceit. Assurance implies even more sureness of oneself; this may be shown as undisturbed calm or as offensive boastfulness.

Example Sentences

She said adaptable sex toys and aids can help give people confidence and would like to see them on more mainstream sex sites and outlets.

From BBC

He also alleged at the time that the officer had no probable cause to justify the search and expressed confidence that the case would “go nowhere.”

From Los Angeles Times

Hollie says it was actually their job in the prisons service that gave them the confidence to perform.

From BBC

The Premier League insists the payments are essential to give club owners the confidence to invest.

From BBC

It said the next step was for Scholz to put the current government to a confidence vote on 16 December.

From BBC

Related Words

• assurance
• certainty
• courage
• determination
• morale
• poise
• spirit
• tenacity