con·fi·dence
ˈkän-fə-dən(t)s 
-ˌden(t)s
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
: of, relating to, or adept at swindling by false promises
a confidence game
a confidence man
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Quang X. Pham, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
But in its latest earnings report in February, Paramount management expressed confidence in its film strategy.
—Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025
Coaching staff have attempted to restore confidence in Rashford’s risk-taking, knowing one-v-one duels form an essential part of his game.
—Mark Carey, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
The abrupt departure of a senior AI figure during the troubled rollout of Apple Intelligence, which is now enabled by default, could further affect confidence in the company's AI efforts.
—Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confidence
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Noun
Despite my setbacks, personal development via baseball unleashed my Inner Underdog to earn respect, gain confidence, and become a leader.
—Quang X. Pham, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
But in its latest earnings report in February, Paramount management expressed confidence in its film strategy.
—Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025
Coaching staff have attempted to restore confidence in Rashford’s risk-taking, knowing one-v-one duels form an essential part of his game.
—Mark Carey, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
The abrupt departure of a senior AI figure during the troubled rollout of Apple Intelligence, which is now enabled by default, could further affect confidence in the company's AI efforts.
—Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confidence
Cite this Entry
“Confidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confidence. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
confidence
1 of 2 noun
con·fi·dence
ˈkän-fəd-ən(t)s
-fə-ˌden(t)s
confidence
2 of 2 adjective
: of, relating to, or skilled at swindling by false promises
a confidence game
a confidence man
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