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Unconfident: meaning, definitions and examples

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unconfident

 

[ ˌʌnkənˈfɪdənt ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

feeling insecure

Not feeling sure about oneself or one's abilities; lacking self-confidence.

Synonyms

hesitant, insecure, self-doubting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unconfident

Refer to the first entry for 'unconfident'.

  • See above
insecure

This word often describes someone who doubts their own worth or abilities and feels anxious about how others perceive them. It has a more negative connotation.

  • She felt insecure about her appearance after hearing the negative comments
self-doubting

Use this term when someone continually questions their own abilities or decisions, frequently leading to a lack of self-confidence. It can imply a more persistent state of mind.

  • John’s self-doubting nature made it difficult for him to take on leadership roles
hesitant

This word is suitable when someone is slow to act or speak due to uncertainty or reluctance.

  • He was hesitant to sign the contract without consulting his lawyer first

Examples of usage

  • I often feel unconfident in social situations.
  • She appeared unconfident during the presentation.

Translations

Translations of the word "unconfident" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inseguro

🇮🇳 अविश्वासी

🇩🇪 unsicher

🇮🇩 tidak percaya diri

🇺🇦 невпевнений

🇵🇱 niepewny siebie

🇯🇵 自信がない (jishin ga nai)

🇫🇷 peu sûr de soi

🇪🇸 inseguro

🇹🇷 kendine güvensiz

🇰🇷 자신 없는 (jasin eobsneun)

🇸🇦 غير واثق

🇨🇿 nejistý

🇸🇰 neistý

🇨🇳 没有信心的 (méiyǒu xìnxīn de)

🇸🇮 negotov

🇮🇸 óöruggur

🇰🇿 сенімсіз

🇬🇪 უხეში

🇦🇿 özünə inamsız

🇲🇽 inseguro

Etymology

The word 'unconfident' is a combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'confident.' The concept of lacking confidence has been a common human experience throughout history. Individuals may feel unconfident due to various factors such as past experiences, societal expectations, or personal insecurities. Overcoming feelings of being unconfident often involves building self-esteem, seeking support from others, and facing fears. The word continues to be used in modern language to describe a lack of self-assurance.

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

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,270, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.