ENGLISH
REFERENCE

confidence

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈkɑnfədəns// UK //kˈɒnfɪdəns// con·fi·dence Archaic General-service

n. the feeling that you can trust someone or something. It also means believing in your own ability to do things well.

n. a state of feeling certain about the truth of something or the reliability of a person. Also refers to self-assurance arising from an appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities.


SIMPLE

She has the confidence to lead the team.

CONTEXTUAL

The investors lost confidence in the company after the CEO resigned unexpectedly.

COMPLEX

Building public confidence in new medical technologies requires not only rigorous testing but also transparent communication regarding potential risks and long-term benefits.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English confidence, from Latin cōnfīdentia (possibly via Old French confidence), from cōnfīdō (“believe, confide in”) from con- (“with”) + fīdō (“trust”). By surface analysis, confide + ence.

Usage

Often takes the preposition 'in' when referring to trust in others, or 'to' followed by an infinitive when referring to self-assurance.

Pitfall

I have confidence on youI have confidence in youThe noun confidence takes the preposition 'in' when expressing trust in a person or system.

© 2026 English Reference