confidence

noun

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con·fi·dence | \ ˈkän-fə-dən(t)s

, -ˌden(t)s \

Definition of confidence

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a feeling or consciousness of one's powers or of reliance on one's circumstances had perfect confidence in her ability to succeed met the risk with brash confidence

b : faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way have confidence in a leader

2 : the quality or state of being certain : certitude they had every confidence of success

3a : a relation of trust or intimacy took his friend into his confidence

b : reliance on another's discretion Their story was told in strictest confidence.

c : support especially in a legislative body vote of confidence

4 : a communication made in confidence : secret accused him of betraying a confidence

confidence

adjective

Definition of confidence (Entry 2 of 2)

: of, relating to, or adept at swindling by false promises a confidence game a confidence man

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing confidence Learn More About confidence

Choose the Right Synonym for confidence

Noun

confidence, assurance, self-possession, aplomb mean a state of mind or a manner marked by easy coolness and freedom from uncertainty, diffidence, or embarrassment. confidence stresses faith in oneself and one's powers without any suggestion of conceit or arrogance. the confidence that comes from long experience assurance carries a stronger implication of certainty and may suggest arrogance or lack of objectivity in assessing one's own powers. handled the cross-examination with complete assurance self-possession implies an ease or coolness under stress that reflects perfect self-control and command of one's powers. answered the insolent question with complete self-possession aplomb implies a manifest self-possession in trying or challenging situations. handled the reporters with great aplomb

Examples of confidence in a Sentence

Noun The class gave me more confidence. He lacked the confidence to succeed. The experience gave her the confidence to start her own business. Good grades boosted her confidence. It takes time to build confidence when you are learning a new skill. They have an air of confidence about them. She has done little to gain their confidence. School officials express confidence that the problem will soon be resolved. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The key differences are inflation expectations are much lower now and the dollar is strong, which suggest investors have not lost confidence in the Fed. — Nick Sargen, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 Bank executives say low unemployment and credit-card delinquencies that remain below prepandemic levels give them confidence in consumers’ ability to keep up with their debts. — Annamaria Andriotis, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2022 All of the candidates talked about increasing confidence in elections. — Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2022 Public confidence in the Supreme Court has plunged to an all-time low. — Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 2 Aug. 2022 Part of that was developing even more confidence in his receivers group, which was built both on and off the field. — Alexis Cubit, The Courier-Journal, 1 Aug. 2022 That’s important because since Russia invaded Ukraine, confidence in Washington’s willingness to send troops to defend Taiwan in an invasion scenario has waned. — Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2022 Kaat credited McKeon with instilling confidence in him. — Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 Such rotten journalism is shockingly analogous to what’s destroyed confidence in our political media, similarly focused on favoring or renouncing election results according to their partisan preference. — Armond White, National Review, 29 July 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'confidence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for confidence

Noun

Middle English confydence, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French confidence, borrowed from Latin confīdentia, from confīdent-, confīdens "trusting in oneself, confident" + -ia -ia entry 1

Adjective

from attributive use of confidence entry 1