Confidence: meaning, definitions and examples

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confidence

 

[ ˈkɒnfɪdəns ]

Context #1 | Noun

self-assurance

Confidence is the feeling or belief that you can rely on someone or something. It is the state of feeling certain about the truth of something. Confidence can also refer to a feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities.

Synonyms

certainty, faith, self-assurance, trust.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
confidence

Used when someone feels sure and positive about their own abilities or qualities. Often used in professional, academic, or personal goal settings.

  • She has a lot of confidence in her public speaking skills
  • He tackled the project with confidence
trust

Used when implying reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, or character of a person or thing. It is common in personal relationships and professional settings.

  • She has great trust in her business partner
  • Trust must be earned over time
faith

Refers to strong belief or trust in someone or something, often without logical proof. Frequently used in religious contexts or when talking about trust that doesn't rely on evidence.

  • He has faith in the team's ability to win
  • She kept her faith even in difficult times
certainty

Indicates a state of being completely sure about something without any doubt. Commonly used in contexts requiring factual or situational assuredness.

  • I can say with certainty that the test results are accurate
  • There is a great deal of certainty about the new policy's success
self-assurance

Describes someone’s confidence in their own abilities or judgement. It is often seen as a quality of being calm and emotionally stable.

  • Her self-assurance helped her navigate the challenges of her new job
  • He entered the meeting with an air of self-assurance

Examples of usage

  • I have confidence in my team to deliver excellent results.
  • She spoke with confidence during the presentation.
  • His confidence in his own abilities helped him succeed.
  • We need to have confidence in ourselves to overcome challenges.
  • The coach's confidence in the team motivated them to win the championship.
Context #2 | Noun

secret

Confidence can also refer to a secret or private matter told to someone under a condition of trust. It is a feeling or consciousness of one's powers or of reliance on one's circumstances.

Synonyms

faith, reliance, secret, trust.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
confidence

Used when referring to someone's belief in their own abilities or in the certainty of something.

  • She spoke with confidence during the presentation.
  • He has confidence in his skills.
secret

Used when referring to information that is meant to be kept hidden from others.

  • She told him a secret.
  • He always keeps secrets well.
trust

Used when expressing a belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something.

  • I trust you with my life.
  • He has a lot of trust in his team.
reliance

Used when describing dependence on someone or something for support or help.

  • Their reliance on technology is increasing.
  • She has a great reliance on her family's support.
faith

Used primarily in a religious or spiritual sense, but also when expressing a strong belief in someone or something despite no proof.

  • She has faith in a higher power.
  • He placed his faith in his friends.

Examples of usage

  • She shared her confidence with her best friend.
  • He revealed his confidence to his lawyer.
  • Keeping someone's confidence is crucial in maintaining trust.
  • I confided in her with great confidence.
  • They talked in confidence about their plans.

Translations

Translations of the word "confidence" in other languages:

🇵🇹 confiança

🇮🇳 आत्मविश्वास

🇩🇪 Vertrauen

🇮🇩 kepercayaan

🇺🇦 впевненість

🇵🇱 pewność

🇯🇵 信頼 (しんらい)

🇫🇷 confiance

🇪🇸 confianza

🇹🇷 güven

🇰🇷 신뢰 (shinlae)

🇸🇦 ثقة (thiqah)

🇨🇿 důvěra

🇸🇰 dôvera

🇨🇳 信心 (xìnxīn)

🇸🇮 zaupanje

🇮🇸 sjálfstraust

🇰🇿 сенім

🇬🇪 ნდობა (ndoba)

🇦🇿 etibar

🇲🇽 confianza

Etymology

The word 'confidence' originated from the Latin word 'confidentia', which means 'firm trust, reliance, self-confidence'. It has been used in English since the 14th century. The concept of confidence has been explored in philosophy, psychology, and sociology, highlighting its importance in human interactions and success. Building confidence is often seen as a key factor in personal development and achieving goals.

See also: confidant, confident.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,710, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.