confidant

[kon-fi-dant, -dahnt, -duh nt, kon-fi-dant, -dahnt] /ˈkɒn fɪˌdænt, -ˌdɑnt, -dənt, ˌkɒn fɪˈdænt, -ˈdɑnt/
noun
1.
a close friend or associate to whom secrets are confided or with whom private matters and problems are discussed.
Origin
1705-15; < French confident < Italian confidente, noun use of adj.; see confident
Can be confused
confidant, confidante, confident.
Examples from the web for confidant
  • For example, a confidant is particularly helpful during mourning.
  • The right not to be used as a confidant regarding the legal proceedings between the parties.
British Dictionary definitions for confidant

confidant

/ˌkɒnfɪˈdænt; ˈkɒnfɪˌdænt/
noun
1.
a person, esp a man, to whom private matters are confided
Word Origin
C17: from French confident, from Italian confidente, n use of adj: trustworthy, from Latin confīdensconfident
Word Origin and History for confidant
n.

1610s, confident, "(male) person trusted with private affairs," from French confident (16c.), from Italian confidente "a trusty friend," literally "confident, trusty," from Latin confidentem (nominative confidens), present participle of confidere "to trust, confide" (see confidence). The spelling with -a- came to predominate 18c. and might reflect the French pronunciation.