CONFIDENCE
noun
Synonyms
Trust; assurance; expectation; hope. I am confident that very much be done. Boyle.
Definitions
- 1. The act of confiding, trusting, or putting faith in; trust; reliance; belief; -- formerly followed by of, now commonly by in. Society is built upon trust, and trust upon confidence of one another's integrity. South. A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God. Macaulay.
- 2. That in which faith is put or reliance had. The Lord shall be thy confidence. Prov. iii. 26.
- 3. The state of mind characterized by one's reliance on himself, or his circumstamces; a feeling of self-sufficiency; such assurance as leads to a feeling of security; self-reliance; -- often with self prefixed. Your wisdom is consumed in confidence; Do not go forth to-day. Shak. But confidence then bore thee on secure Either to meet no danger, or to find Matter of glorious trial. Milton.
- 4. Private conversation; (pl.) secrets shared; as, there were confidences between them. Sir, I desire some confidence with you. Shak. Confidence game, any swindling operation in which advantage is taken of the confidence reposed by the victim in the swindler. -- Confidence man, a swindler. -- To take into one's confidence, to admit to a knowledge of one's feelings, purposes, or affairs.
- 5. Trustful; without fear or suspicion; frank; unreserved. Be confident to speak, Northumberland; We three are but thyself. Shak.
- 6. Having self-reliance; bold; undaunted. As confident as is the falcon's flight Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight. Shak.
- 7. Having an excess of assurance; bold to a fault; dogmatical; impudent; presumptuous. The fool rageth and is confident. Prov. xiv. 16.
- 8. Giving occasion for confidence. [R.] The cause was more confident than the event was prosperious. Jer. Taylor.
Added: October 09, 2025
Updated: October 09, 2025