confidence

[kon-fi-duh ns] /ˈkɒn fɪ dəns/
noun
1.
full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing:
We have every confidence in their ability to succeed.
2.
belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities; self-confidence; self-reliance; assurance:
His lack of confidence defeated him.
3.
certitude; assurance:
He described the situation with such confidence that the audience believed him completely.
4.
a confidential communication:
to exchange confidences.
5.
(especially in European politics) the wish to retain an incumbent government in office, as shown by a vote in a particular issue:
a vote of confidence.
6.
presumption; impudence:
Her disdainful look crushed the confidence of the brash young man.
7.
Archaic. something that gives confidence; ground of trust.
Idioms
8.
in confidence, as a secret or private matter, not to be divulged or communicated to others; with belief in a person's sense of discretion:
I told him in confidence.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English (< Middle French) < Latin confīdentia. See confide, -ence
Related forms
hyperconfidence, noun
nonconfidence, noun
superconfidence, noun
Synonyms
1. faith, reliance, dependence. See trust. 2. Confidence, assurance both imply a faith in oneself. Confidence may imply trust in oneself or arrogant self-conceit. Assurance implies even more sureness of oneself; this may be shown as undisturbed calm or as offensive boastfulness.
Antonyms
1. mistrust.
Examples from the web for confidence
  • Here they oppose us, and complain that this certainty of confidence is chargeable with arrogance and presumption.
  • The move followed a no-confidence vote by faculty members.
  • Both work under the lurking threat of removal, whether by a no-confidence vote or a whacking.
  • The protests featured a no-confidence vote and a sit-in.
  • Nominations and applications will be held in confidence.
  • However, despite investor confidence, an important obstacle confronts everyone in this arena.
  • So now, armed with self-confidence and a sparkling résumé, you're ready to make the leap.
  • Inquiries, nominations, and applications will be treated in confidence.
  • And it means that some students have a mistaken sense of confidence in the depth of their learning.
  • All inquiries and applications will be held in strictest confidence.
British Dictionary definitions for confidence

confidence

/ˈkɒnfɪdəns/
noun
1.
a feeling of trust in a person or thing: I have confidence in his abilities
2.
belief in one's own abilities; self-assurance
3.
trust or a trustful relationship: take me into your confidence
4.
something confided or entrusted; secret
5.
in confidence, as a secret
Word Origin and History for confidence
n.

early 15c., from Middle French confidence or directly from Latin confidentia, from confidentem (nominative confidens) "firmly trusting, bold," present participle of confidere "to have full trust or reliance," from com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + fidere "to trust" (see faith). For sense of "swindle" see con (adj.).

Idioms and Phrases with confidence

confidence

In addition to the idiom beginning with
confidence
also see: