confident
SayKON-fi-duhnt/ˈkɑnfɪdənt/UK/ˈkɒnfɪdənt/
- 1Sure of yourself and what you can do.
Like standing up tall and sure that you will not fall.
She felt confident before the big test.
He gave a confident answer to every question.
Similarself-assured, assured, secure, comfortable, bold
Note
- 2
- 3Too bold and rude, in a pushy way.
I was rated as the most confident ruffian, for daring to approach her room at that hour of night.
1775, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The DuennaHere, confident means rude and too bold, acting beyond one's place.Note
Less common meaning
- 4Obsolete form of confidant. An old spelling for a close, trusted friend.
a certain Lawyer , a great Confident of the Rebels
1692, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several OccasionsHere, Confident means confidant, a trusted friend who shares secrets.He managed this consultation with exceeding secrecy, admitting only four or five of his confidents, on whom he most relied
1684, John Dryden, The History of the LeagueHere, confidents means confidants, trusted people told secrets.Note
Showing meanings only.
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Origin
From Latin confidens, meaning "trusting fully" or "bold". It came into English through Middle French confident.