confidence

noun con·fi·dence \ ˈkän-fə-dən(t)s , -ˌden(t)s \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of confidence

1 a : 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

3 a : 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

See confidence defined for English-language learners

See confidence defined for kids

Examples of confidence in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of confidence from the Web

There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance.

— roy bragg, San Antonio Express-News, "SA native Reed is the same golf nerd he always was," 10 Apr. 2018
Quite the opposite: Hildi was always a vision of cool confidence and granite resolve.

— michael ward, Curbed, "‘Trading Spaces’ and finding an unlikely queer icon in Hildi Santo-Tomas," 5 Apr. 2018
Maier stresses that United Wheels has confidence in Sugai and Niner.

— aaron gulley, Outside Online, "What's the Deal with Niner's New Ownership?," 5 Apr. 2018
With Firefox Reality, Mozilla is giving VR a vote of confidence, and potentially bringing some openness to a series of relatively walled-off and device-specific VR platforms.

— adi robertson, The Verge, "There’s a new version of Firefox for virtual reality," 3 Apr. 2018
That’s down from 78 percent last year, but far short of the vote of confidence many proponents would like to see.

— joshua emerson smith, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Poll: Majority of Californians fear self-driving cars," 3 Apr. 2018
The email from the Tesla chief nevertheless sings with confidence and celebration as Musk tries to navigate a difficult but crucial time for his electric car company.

— andrew moseman, Popular Mechanics, "Tesla Is Now Making 2,000 Model 3s Per Week," 2 Apr. 2018
Lack of confidence in media helps rumors spread, and encourages misinformation that is propagated and disseminated by media that does not respect any journalistic standards or ethics.

— alessandra codinha, Vogue, "Tawakkol Karman Has Not Given Up On Yemen—And Neither Should You," 27 Mar. 2018
Following the Civil War, portraiture helped to glamorize that transition by illustrating tough guys and girls who bore arms with self-confidence and swagger.

— kim sajet, Smithsonian, "How Portraiture Gave Rise to the Glamour of Guns," 23 Mar. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of confidence

see confident

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

confidence Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of confidence

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

confidence

adjective

Definition of confidence

: of, relating to, or adept at swindling by false promises

a confidence game

a confidence man

Origin and Etymology of confidence

see confident

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1849

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

CONFIDENCE Defined for English Language Learners

confidence

noun

Definition of confidence for English Language Learners

: a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something
: a feeling or belief that someone or something is good or has the ability to succeed at something
: the feeling of being certain that something will happen or that something is true