confidence
8 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
confidences
plural
confidences
Britannica Dictionary definition of CONFIDENCE
1
[noncount]
:
a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something
— often + in
—
see also self-confidence
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The class gave me more confidence.
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He lacked the confidence to succeed.
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The experience gave her the confidence to start her own business.
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Good grades boosted/bolstered her confidence.
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It takes time to build/gain confidence when you are learning a new skill.
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He's brimming with confidence. = He's full of confidence.
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They have an air of confidence about them.
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He has a lot of confidence in himself.
2
[noncount]
:
a feeling or belief that someone or something is good or has the ability to succeed at something
— often + in
—
see also vote of confidence, vote of no confidence
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The candidate has won/lost the confidence [=trust] of voters.
-
She has done little to gain/earn their confidence.
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There is a recent increase in consumer confidence. [=the good feelings that people have about the economy]
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They have complete/full confidence in their coach.
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His parents had confidence in their son's ability to succeed.
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The case inspired/restored confidence in our system of justice.
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Recent scandals have undermined confidence in the city's public officials.
3
[noncount]
:
the feeling of being certain that something will happen or that something is true
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School officials express confidence that the problem will soon be resolved.
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We still can't talk about the future with any degree of confidence. [=we don't know what will happen in the future]
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We have every confidence [=we are sure] that you'll make the right decision.
4
[noncount]
:
a relationship in which you tell personal and private information to someone
-
Doctors cannot betray the confidence of their patients. [=cannot reveal their patients' personal information to other people]
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She accused him of a betrayal/breach of confidence.
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He told me in confidence that he didn't know how to read.
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Your personal information will be kept in strict/strictest confidence. [=no one will be told your personal information]
◊ If you take someone into your confidence, you tell someone secrets or private information about your life.
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She took me into her confidence and told me all about her health problems.
5
[count]
:
a secret that you tell someone you trust
-
close friends sharing confidences
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She accused him of betraying a confidence. [=she said that he told her secret to other people]
