# confidence

/ˈkɑnfədəns/ (US) · /kˈɒnfɪdəns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/confidence
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. self-assurance

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- After practicing for weeks, she walked onto the stage with great confidence.
- The young architect's confidence grew as the senior partners began to incorporate her innovative designs into their major urban projects.

### 2. trust in something

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The public has lost confidence in the government's ability to fix the economy.
- Investors expressed renewed confidence in the tech sector following the release of the quarterly earnings report, which exceeded all market expectations.

### 3. a secret

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a secret that you tell someone because you trust them.

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

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

### 4. certainty

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- I can say with confidence that our team will win the game tomorrow.
- The lead researcher stated with confidence that the new data confirmed their original hypothesis, effectively ending the long-standing debate in the field.

## Examples

- She has the confidence to lead the team.
- The investors lost confidence in the company after the CEO resigned unexpectedly.
- Building public confidence in new medical technologies requires not only rigorous testing but also transparent communication regarding potential risks and long-term benefits.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.