confident

adjective

con·​fi·​dent ˈkän-fə-dənt 

-ˌdent

1

: full of conviction : certain

confident of success

confident that conditions will improve

2

: having or showing assurance and self-reliance

a confident young businessman

a confident manner

3

obsolete : trustful, confiding

confidently adverb

Did you know?

Is it confident or confidant? (Or is it confidante?)

If you find yourself unsure whether you should choose confident or confidant don’t feel bad; confidant comes to English from the French word confident, and when the word first entered our language it was often spelled that way, rather than as confidant. The difference is quite simple: confidant is a noun (meaning "a person in whom you confide things"), and confident is an adjective (defined as “having confidence”). You may well be confident in your confidant, but you would not be confidant in your confident. Although this distinction has not always been observed by writers, confidante is generally used for a female confidant. The word confidant is more frequently used to describe a man, but it may be applied to either gender.

Synonyms of confident

• assured
• optimistic
• hopeful
• secure
• self-confident
• proud
• self-assured

Examples of confident in a Sentence

I am confident about my ability to do the job.

The players seem more relaxed and confident this season.

He has become more confident in his Spanish-speaking skills.

They have a confident air about them.

We are confident that conditions will improve soon.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, multiple groups including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Colorado State University are growing increasingly confident in their forecasts for a muted season overall. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

China can no longer rely on historical sentiment, personal friendships between leaders, and ad hoc diplomatic coordination to maintain its influence over an increasingly unpredictable, confident, and assertive North Korea. — Zheng Jiyong, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026

Consistent routines help young children feel more comfortable and confident about transitions, according to guidance for parents. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026

With the second turf replacement nearly complete, Reiss said the Patriots are confident the new field will be ready and approved before Thursday night's preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts. — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin confīdent-, confīdens "trusting in oneself, assured, presumptuous," from present participle of confīdere "to put trust in, have confidence in, be sure" — more at confide

First Known Use

circa 1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for confident

• overconfident

Kids Definition

confident

adjective

con·​fi·​dent ˈkän-fəd-ənt 

-fə-ˌdent

: having or showing confidence : sure, self-assured

confident of winning

a confident manner

confidently adverb