confidence
confidence
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for the word "confidence" is /ˈkɒnfɪdəns/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
con - /kɒn/
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
/ɒ/ - open-mid back rounded vowel
/n/ - alveolar nasal
fi - /fɪ/
/f/ - voiceless labiodental fricative
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
dence - /dəns/
/d/ - voiced alveolar stop
/ə/ - mid-central vowel (schwa)
/n/ - alveolar nasal
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
Word Form Variations
confidence (noun, singular, uncountable): This is the base form, referring to a feeling of self-assurance or belief in oneself or something. It's generally used as an uncountable noun (you can't have "a confidence," but you can have "a feeling of confidence").
confidences (noun, plural, countable): This refers to pieces of private or secret information shared with someone in trust. For example, "He shared his confidences with his therapist." In this case, "confidences" is a countable noun.
confident (adjective): Describes someone who has or shows confidence. For example, "She is a confident speaker."
confidently (adverb): Describes doing something in a confident manner. For example, "He confidently walked onto the stage."
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun (Uncountable)
Definition 1: A firm belief in one's own abilities, qualities, or judgment. It's a feeling of self-assurance and trust in oneself or something.
Synonyms: self-assurance, self-belief, poise, assurance, conviction, faith, trust
Antonyms: doubt, uncertainty, insecurity, diffidence, apprehension, mistrust
Definition 2: A state of trust or reliance. This can refer to trust in another person, an institution, or an idea.
Synonyms: reliance, faith, dependence, trust
Antonyms: distrust, skepticism, doubt, suspicion
Noun (Plural, Countable)
Definition: Pieces of private or sensitive information shared with someone in trust.
Synonyms: secrets, disclosures, revelations, intimacies, personal information
Antonyms: public knowledge, common knowledge
Adjective
Definition: Feeling or displaying confidence; self-assured and positive in one's abilities or judgment.
Synonyms: self-confident, assured, poised, positive, certain, secure
Antonyms: insecure, uncertain, hesitant, doubtful, diffident, timid
Adverb
Definition: In a confident manner; with assurance and self-belief.
Synonyms: assuredly, positively, certainly, boldly, decisively, resolutely
Antonyms: hesitantly, uncertainly, doubtfully, timidly, apprehensively
Examples of Use
Noun (Uncountable):
Book: "Elizabeth Bennet's confidence in her own judgment often led her into trouble." (Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen) - This illustrates confidence in one's abilities, even if misplaced.
Newspaper: "The central bank's efforts to curb inflation have boosted confidence in the economy." (Example of economic/financial reporting) - Here, confidence refers to trust in an institution or system.
Online Publication: "Building confidence in your child is crucial for their development." (Parenting website) - This refers to self-assurance and its importance.
General Public Discourse: "I lost all my confidence after the accident." (Personal anecdote) - A common usage referring to a feeling of self-assurance.
Noun (Plural, Countable):
Book: "He shared his confidences with his closest friend, revealing secrets he'd kept for years." (Fictional novel) - Shows "confidences" as shared secrets.
Entertainment (TV Show Dialogue): "I wouldn't betray your confidences." (Example of dialogue from a drama series) - Illustrates the trust associated with shared secrets.
General Public Discourse: "She told me her confidences, and I promised to keep them secret." (Personal conversation) - A real-world example of sharing personal information.
Adjective:
Newspaper: "The confident athlete won the gold medal." (Sports news) - Describes a person displaying self-assurance.
Online Publication: "Tips for raising confident children." (Educational website) - Describes a desired trait in children.
Entertainment (Movie Review): "The actor delivers a confident performance." (Film review) - Describes a performance style.
General Public Discourse: "She seemed very confident during the interview." (Job interview context) - Describes someone's demeanor.
Adverb:
Book: "He confidently strode into the room, ready to face his accusers." (Thriller novel) - Describes the manner of someone's actions.
Online Publication: "The company confidently predicts increased profits." (Business news website) - Describes the manner of a prediction.
Entertainment (Song Lyric): "She confidently took the stage, ready to shine." (Song lyric) - Describes an action done with assurance.
General Public Discourse: "She confidently answered all the questions." (Job interview context) - Describes the manner of answering.
10 Famous Quotes Using Confidence
"Confidence is going after what you want after you've made peace with the possibility that you might not get it." (Unknown) - This quote emphasizes the importance of pursuing goals even when there's a chance of failure.
"With confidence, you have won before you have started." (Marcus Garvey) - This highlights the power of self-belief in achieving success.
"Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings." (Samuel Johnson) - This emphasizes that self-belief is essential for ambitious projects.
"Have confidence that if you have done a little thing well, you can do bigger things well too." (Unknown) - This quote suggests that success in small tasks can build confidence for larger ones.
"If you have no confidence in yourself, you are twice defeated in the race of life." (Marcus Garvey) - This quote underscores the importance of self-confidence in navigating life's challenges.
"Believe you can and you're halfway there." (Theodore Roosevelt) - This emphasizes that belief in oneself is a crucial first step toward achievement.
"Confidence comes from not always being right but from not fearing to be wrong." (Peter McWilliams) - This quote suggests that confidence is built through experience and learning from mistakes.
"The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence." (Blake Lively) - This emphasizes the attractiveness of self-assurance.
"Low self-confidence isn't a life sentence. Self-confidence can be learned, practiced and mastered – just like any other skill. Once you master it, everything in1 your life will change for the better." (Barrie Davenport)2 - This quote offers a message of hope and emphasizes that self-confidence can be developed.
"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'"3 (Eleanor Roosevelt) - This quote highlights how overcoming challenges builds resilience and self-belief.
Etymology
The word "confidence" comes from Latin. It's built from a few parts:
"con-": This prefix means "with" or "together."
"fidere": This Latin verb means "to trust."
So, if you put "con-" and "fidere" together, you get "confidere," which literally meant "to trust fully" or "to have complete trust."
The word "confidence" first appeared in English in the 1500s. Its initial meaning was very similar to its Latin root: a feeling of trust or reliance, either in oneself or in someone else. It also carried the sense of something told in secret, based on that trust. Over time, the "secret" aspect became its own separate meaning (the "confidences" as plural noun we discussed before), and the primary meaning evolved to focus more on the self-assured aspect we understand today: a belief in your own abilities or good judgment.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Confidence
Phrases using "confidence":
"Lack of confidence": This phrase describes a state of insecurity or self-doubt.
"Boost someone's confidence": This means to help someone feel more self-assured.
"Have confidence in someone": This expresses trust and belief in another person's abilities.
"Lose confidence": This describes a decline in self-belief or trust.
"A crisis of confidence": This refers to a widespread loss of trust, often in a leader or institution.
"Quiet confidence": This describes a subtle but strong belief in oneself, not necessarily outwardly expressed.
"False confidence": This refers to an inflated or unwarranted sense of self-assurance.
Idioms using synonyms for "confidence":
Since direct "confidence" idioms are scarce, we can look at idioms related to self-belief, assurance, and trust:
"Stand tall": This idiom means to behave in a confident and dignified way, even in a difficult situation.
"Hold your head up high": Similar to "stand tall," this expresses confidence and pride.
"Believe in yourself": This is a common expression encouraging self-confidence.
"Know your worth": This idiom emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's own value and abilities.
"Have faith in yourself": This expresses a similar sentiment to "believe in yourself," emphasizing trust in one's own capabilities.
"Put your best foot forward": This idiom means to present oneself in the best possible light, often to make a good impression and project confidence.
"Self-assured": While not an idiom itself, the adjective "self-assured" is often used in idiomatic phrases like "He walked in with a self-assured air."
Original phrases and metaphorical uses:
"Confidence is the wind beneath your wings." (Metaphorical)
"Confidence is the key that unlocks your potential." (Metaphorical)
"He wore his confidence like a tailored suit." (Metaphorical)
"She carried her confidence with grace and ease." (Phrase)
While "confidence" itself might not feature in many common idioms, the concept of confidence is woven into many expressions related to self-belief, assurance, and success.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of confidence from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
