Confidence
UK /["/ˈkɒnfɪdəns/"]/US /["/ˈkɑːnfɪdəns/"]/
Definition
the feeling that you can trust, believe in and be sure about the abilities or good qualities of somebody/something
In simple words: Believing in yourself and your abilities.
Examples
- Her confidence in her abilities helped her succeed in the competition.
- Building your confidence can take time and practice.
- He spoke with confidence, which impressed the audience.
- The team showed confidence when they tackled challenging projects.
- Losing confidence can affect one's performance at work.
Usage notes
Use 'confidence' in both casual and formal contexts. It's appropriate when discussing self-belief, particularly in academic or professional settings.
Grammar pattern
standalone noun
Memory hint
Think of 'confident' – if you're confident, you've got confidence!
Collocations
- absolute
- complete
- full
- enjoy
- feel
- have
- decline
- decrease
- fall
- confidence about
- confidence among
- confidence between
- a crisis of confidence
- have every confidence
- have the utmost confidence
- considerable
- enormous
- great
- have
- demonstrate
- display
- drain
- drain away
- evaporate
- boost
- booster
- builder
- with confidence
- confidence about
- confidence in
- a lack of confidence
- a loss of confidence
- absolute
- complete
- full
- enjoy
- have
- keep
- game
- trick
- man
- in confidence
- a breach of confidence
- in strict confidence
- whispered
- exchange
- share
- keep
Synonyms
- assurance
- certainty
- self-assurance
- self-reliance
- belief
Antonyms
- insecurity
- doubt
- fear
Common mistakes
- Confusing 'confidence' with 'confident' (adjective) in use.
- Using 'confidence' in situations requiring a synonym, like 'trust' or 'faith', but meaning differently.
- Mispronouncing it as 'con-fid-ence' instead of 'con-fi-dence'.