Confident vs. Confidence — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 17, 2023
"Confident" describes someone who is self-assured, while "Confidence" is the feeling or belief in one's abilities or qualities.
Difference Between Confident and Confidence
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Confident" is an adjective that directly describes someone or something. For example, a person might be described as "Confident" when they possess surety in their abilities. On the other hand, "Confidence" is a noun that denotes the mental state or feeling of self-assuredness.
When someone is "Confident", it means they display a strong sense of self-belief and assurance. "Confidence", however, refers to the internal feeling or trust in one's own abilities, decisions, or character.
A "Confident" person demonstrates a strong presence, assertiveness, and often, decisiveness. The root of this behavior can often be traced back to their inner "Confidence".
To say someone is "Confident" is to comment on their external display of self-assuredness. Talking about "Confidence" is a more introspective discussion about one's inner state of belief and trust in oneself.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective
Noun
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Definition
Describing a person or thing as self-assured.
The feeling or belief in one's abilities or qualities.
Usage
Describes someone's demeanor or attitude.
Refers to an inner feeling or state.
Grammatical Application
Used to modify nouns.
Acts as a subject or object in a sentence.
Example
She is a confident speaker.
She spoke with confidence.
Compare with Definitions
Confident
Displaying no doubt; certain.
She gave a confident answer.
Confidence
The feeling or belief that one can have faith in or rely on someone or something
We had every confidence in the staff
He had gained the young man's confidence
Confident
Feeling sure about oneself.
He's always been a confident individual.
Confidence
A feeling of trust in one's abilities, qualities, or judgment.
With practice, she gained confidence in singing.
Confident
Having strong belief or full assurance.
They were confident of their victory.
Confidence
The state of feeling sure about something.
I have every confidence in your abilities.
Confident
Trustworthy; dependable.
This is a confident source of information.
Confidence
A relationship of trust between individuals.
Their confidence in each other was unbreakable.
Confident
Feeling or showing certainty, as of success
Was confident that the venture would be profitable.
Confidence
Confidence is a state of being clear-headed either that a hypothesis or prediction is correct or that a chosen course of action is the best or most effective. Confidence comes from a Latin word 'fidere' which means "to trust"; therefore, having self-confidence is having trust in one's self.
Confident
Bold; not hesitant.
He was confident in his approach.
Confidence
The telling of private matters or secrets with mutual trust
Someone with whom you may raise your suspicions in confidence
Confident
Feeling or showing confidence in oneself; self-assured
A confident driver.
Confidence
A belief or conviction that an outcome will be favorable
I have every confidence that we can find a solution.
Confident
(Obsolete) Confiding; trustful.
Confidence
Belief in the certainty of something
The engineers determined with confidence that the ship could withstand heavy seas.
Confident
Very sure of something; positive.
I'm pretty confident that she's not lying, she's acting normally.
He was confident of success.
Confidence
Belief in the effectiveness of one's own abilities or in one's favorable acceptance by others; self-confidence.
Confident
Self-assured, self-reliant, sure of oneself.
Confidence
Trust or faith in a person or thing
We are placing our confidence in you to get the job done.
Confident
Forward, impudent.
Confidence
A trusting relationship
I took them into my confidence.
Confident
Obsolete form of confidant
Confidence
That which is confided; a secret
A friend does not betray confidences.
Confident
See Confidant.
Confidence
A feeling of assurance that a confidant will keep a secret
I am telling you this in strict confidence.
Confident
Having or marked by confidence or assurance;
A confident speaker
A confident reply
His manner is more confident these days
Confident of fulfillment
Confidence
Of, relating to, or involving a swindle or fraud
A confidence scheme.
A confidence trickster.
Confident
Persuaded of; very sure;
Were convinced that it would be to their advantage to join
I am positive he is lying
Was confident he would win
Confidence
Self-assurance.
Confident
Not liable to error in judgment or action;
Most surefooted of the statesmen who dealt with the depression
Demonstrates a surefooted storytelling talent
Confidence
A feeling of certainty; firm trust or belief; faith.
Confidence
Information held in secret; a piece of information shared but to thence be kept in secret.
Confidence
(dated) Boldness; presumption.
Confidence
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.
A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God.
Confidence
That in which faith is put or reliance had.
The Lord shall be thy confidence.
Confidence
Trustful; without fear or suspicion; frank; unreserved.
Be confident to speak, Northumberland;We three are but thyself.
Confidence
The state of mind characterized by one's reliance on himself, or his circumstances; 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.
But confidence then bore thee on secureEither to meet no danger, or to findMatter of glorious trial.
Confidence
Having self-reliance; bold; undaunted.
As confident as is the falcon's flightAgainst a bird, do I with Mowbray fight.
Confidence
Private conversation; (pl.) secrets shared; as, there were confidences between them.
Sir, I desire some confidence with you.
I am confident that very much be done.
Confidence
Having an excess of assurance; bold to a fault; dogmatical; impudent; presumptuous.
The fool rageth and is confident.
Confidence
Giving occasion for confidence.
The cause was more confident than the event was prosperous.
Confidence
Freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities;
His assurance in his superiority did not make him popular
After that failure he lost his confidence
She spoke with authority
Confidence
A feeling of trust (in someone or something);
I have confidence in our team
Confidence is always borrowed, never owned
Confidence
A state of confident hopefulness that events will be favorable;
Public confidence in the economy
Confidence
A trustful relationship;
He took me into his confidence
He betrayed their trust
Confidence
A secret that is confided or entrusted to another;
Everyone trusted him with their confidences
The priest could not reveal her confidences
Confidence
Certainty about something occurring or being the case.
They expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved.
Confidence
A confidential communication.
Please keep this matter in confidence.
Common Curiosities
What does "Confidence" represent?
"Confidence" represents the feeling or belief in one's own abilities or qualities.
Can an action be described as "Confident"?
Yes, actions can be described as "Confident" when they are carried out with assurance, like a "confident stride" or a "confident answer".
Is "Confident" a description of a person?
Yes, "Confident" is an adjective that describes someone as being self-assured.
Can you lose your "Confidence"?
Yes, events or experiences can cause someone to lose their "Confidence".
Is there a link between "Confidence" and self-esteem?
Yes, "Confidence" often relates to self-esteem, but they are not synonymous. Confidence pertains to belief in abilities, while self-esteem is about one's overall self-worth.
How can I build "Confidence"?
Building "Confidence" often involves practice, positive affirmations, learning from failures, and seeking support.
Is "Confident" only used for people?
No, "Confident" can be used to describe actions, decisions, and even animals.
Is "Confidence" only about self-belief?
Primarily, yes, but "Confidence" can also refer to trust in others or the assurance of a particular outcome.
Can "Confidence" be misplaced?
Yes, sometimes people have "Confidence" in something or someone that does not meet expectations.
Does "Confidence" always lead to success?
Not necessarily, but having "Confidence" can help one approach challenges more positively.
Can animals display being "Confident"?
Yes, animals can exhibit behaviors that suggest they are "Confident" in certain situations.
Is a "Confident" person always right?
No, being "Confident" does not guarantee correctness, it only denotes self-assuredness.
Can a person seem "Confident" but lack "Confidence" internally?
Absolutely, outward appearances of confidence don't always align with internal feelings.
Is "Confident" the opposite of insecure?
Yes, "Confident" is often considered the opposite of insecure.
Can you have "Confidence" in someone else?
Yes, having "Confidence" in someone else means you trust or believe in their abilities or character.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
