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Overconfident Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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overconfident

[หŒoสŠvษ™rหˆkษ‘หnfษชdษ™nt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

in a situation where one's ability or knowledge is not as great as perceived

Having excessive belief in one's own abilities or knowledge, often leading to errors in judgment or decision-making. Overconfident individuals may overlook potential risks or challenges, assuming they can handle any situation with ease. This can result in failure or embarrassment when faced with unexpected difficulties.

Synonyms

arrogant, cocky, conceited, self-assured.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
overconfident

Used when someone has excessive confidence that may not be justified by their abilities or situation.

  • He was overconfident about his chances of winning and didn't prepare properly for the competition
arrogant

Used to describe someone who has an inflated sense of their own importance and often looks down on others. This term has a negative connotation.

  • Her arrogant attitude made it difficult for her to make friends in the new office
cocky

Informal term used to describe someone who is self-assured in an annoyingly aggressive way. This word often has a negative connotation.

  • He became cocky after winning a few games and started bragging to everyone
self-assured

Used to describe someone who is confident in their own abilities and decisions, generally in a positive way.

  • The self-assured entrepreneur presented his business plan with conviction
conceited

Used to describe someone who has an excessively high opinion of themselves, often with a sense of vanity. This word has a negative connotation.

  • She's so conceited that she spends hours talking about her own achievements

Examples of usage

  • He was so overconfident in his skills that he underestimated the complexity of the task.
  • She tends to be overconfident in her predictions, rarely considering alternative outcomes.
  • The team's overconfident attitude cost them the game, as they failed to prepare for the opponent's unexpected strategy.

Translations

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Origin of 'overconfident'

The word 'overconfident' is derived from the combination of 'over' and 'confident', with 'confident' originating from the Latin word 'confidere' meaning 'to have full trust or reliance'. The concept of overconfidence has been studied in psychology and behavioral economics, highlighting the tendency of individuals to overestimate their abilities or knowledge in various situations.

See also: confidante, confidants, confidential, confidentially, confidently, unconfident.