What does "confidence" mean?

1. (self-assurance) the feeling that you can do things well and that people like you. 2. (trust in something) a feeling of trust or belief that someone or something is good or honest. 3. (a secret) a secret that you tell someone because you trust them. 4. (certainty) the feeling of being certain that something is true or will happen.

How do you use "confidence"?

Often used in the phrase 'in confidence'.

Is it correct to say "He has a lot of confidence to his work."?

No — say "He has a lot of confidence in his work.". Use the preposition 'in' when expressing trust or belief in someone or something.

confidence

US //ˈkɑnfədəns// UK //kˈɒnfɪdəns// con·fi·dence

1 self-assurance (n.)
B1 Intermediate

the feeling that you can do things well and that people like you.

a state of self-assurance and belief in one's own abilities or qualities.

Example

After practicing for weeks, she walked onto the stage with great confidence.

Example

The young architect's confidence grew as the senior partners began to incorporate her innovative designs into their major urban projects.
- insecurity
- doubt
Pitfall

He has a lot of confidence to his work.

He has a lot of confidence in his work.

Use the preposition 'in' when expressing trust or belief in someone or something.
2 trust in something (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a feeling of trust or belief that someone or something is good or honest.

the feeling of reliance or trust in a person, entity, or outcome.

Example

The public has lost confidence in the government's ability to fix the economy.

Example

Investors expressed renewed confidence in the tech sector following the release of the quarterly earnings report, which exceeded all market expectations.
- distrust
- suspicion

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3 a secret (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

a secret that you tell someone because you trust them.

a secret or private matter shared with another person in trust.

Example

She told me about her new job in confidence, so I didn't tell anyone else.

Example

The diplomat shared several sensitive details in strict confidence, expecting that the journalist would respect the off-the-record nature of their conversation.

Usage

Often used in the phrase 'in confidence'.
- secret
- private matter
4 certainty (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the feeling of being certain that something is true or will happen.

a feeling of certainty or strong conviction regarding a fact or a future event.

Example

I can say with confidence that our team will win the game tomorrow.

Example

The lead researcher stated with confidence that the new data confirmed their original hypothesis, effectively ending the long-standing debate in the field.
- certainty
- conviction
- uncertainty

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.