confident
confident
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "confident" is /ˈkɒnfɪdənt/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
ˈkɒn:
/k/: Voiceless velar stop
/ɒ/: Open back rounded vowel (as in "lot")
/n/: Alveolar nasal
fɪ:
/f/: Voiceless labiodental fricative
/ɪ/: Near-close near-front unrounded vowel (as in "kit")
dənt:
/d/: Voiced alveolar stop
/ə/: Schwa (mid-central vowel)
/n/: Alveolar nasal
/t/: Voiceless alveolar stop (often omitted in rapid speech, making it /dn/)
Word Form Variations
Confident" is primarily an adjective. Its related forms serve as other parts of speech.
Adjective Forms:
Positive: confident (e.g., "She felt confident about the exam.")
Comparative: more confident (e.g., "He became more confident with practice.")
Superlative: most confident (e.g., "She was the most confident speaker.")
Related Forms:
Noun: confidence (e.g., "He has a lot of confidence.")
Adverb: confidently (e.g., "She spoke confidently.")
Noun (person): confidant (e.g., "He is her trusted confidant.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective Definitions
Feeling or showing certainty about something; self-assured.
Synonyms: Self-assured, assured, positive, certain, convinced, secure, self-reliant
Antonyms: Unsure, doubtful, hesitant, insecure, diffident, timid, uncertain
Believing in one's own abilities or judgment.
Synonyms: Self-believing, resolute, poised, bold, assertive
Antonyms: Wavering, irresolute, weak, hesitant
(Of a statement or prediction) Expressed with conviction; very likely to be true.
Synonyms: Certain, definite, sure, positive, strong, firm
Antonyms: Unlikely, doubtful, improbable, uncertain, tentative
Examples of Use
Books
"She walked into the room with a confident stride, ready to face any challenge." (Common in novels depicting strong characters)
"The young lawyer felt confident in his ability to win the case, having meticulously prepared." (From legal thrillers or courtroom dramas)
Newspapers and Online Publications
"Analysts are confident the economy will rebound in the second half of the year." (Bloomberg)
"Building a confident public speaking voice requires practice and positive reinforcement." (Forbes)
"The coach expressed his team was feeling confident ahead of the championship match." (ESPN)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Film: In The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Andrea Sachs gradually becomes more confident in her demanding fashion industry role.
Television: "You need to be confident in your choices to succeed in this competition." (Heard on reality shows like Project Runway or America's Next Top Model)
Music: Many motivational songs feature lyrics about feeling confident and self-empowered.
Video Games: Characters in role-playing games often gain "confidence" as a stat, affecting their combat performance or dialogue options.
General Public Discourse
"I'm confident that we'll find a solution to this problem." (Everyday expression of optimism and assurance)
"He delivered his presentation in a very confident manner." (Describing someone's demeanor)
"Are you confident about your exam results?" (Asking about someone's certainty)
"She's a remarkably confident young woman for her age." (Commending someone's self-assuranc)
10 Quotes Using Confident
"With self-discipline, anything is possible." (Theodore Roosevelt) - This implies the underlying quality of being confident.
"The best way to predict the future is to create it." (Peter Drucker) - This speaks to a confident and proactive mindset.
"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." (Judy Garland) - This encourages being confident in one's individuality.
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." (Winston Churchill) - This speaks to the resilience of a confident person.
"Believe you can and you're halfway there." (Theodore Roosevelt) - This highlights the power of a confident mindset.
"If you are insecure, guess what? The rest of the world is too. Do not overestimate the competition and underestimate yourself. You are better than you think." (T. Harv Eker) - This directly advises one to be more confident.
"I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was." (Muhammad Ali) - This showcases a supreme, almost prophetic, sense of being confident.
"Be confident in the pursuit of what you want." (Original)
"A truly confident person can admit their mistakes." (Original)
"She was confident not because she knew she would succeed, but because she knew she would be okay if she didn't." (Original, reflecting a modern understanding of confidence)
Etymology
The word "confident" comes from the Latin verb "confidere," which means "to trust fully" or "to have confidence." This Latin word is formed from "con-" (an intensifier, meaning "thoroughly") and "fidere" (meaning "to trust"). You can see this "fidere" root in other words like "fidelity" and "confide."
So, at its core, "confident" is about having full trust or belief, either in oneself or in something else.
The first known use of "confident" in English, appearing around the early 15th century, referred to being trusting or having a strong belief in something or someone. By the late 16th century, it gained its primary modern sense of having self-assurance or certainty in one's own abilities.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Confident
Confidentially speaking: In a confidential manner; privately.
Example: "Confidentially speaking, I don't think the deal will go through."
Self-confident: Feeling sure about one's own abilities or worth.
Example: "She became more self-confident after the training course."
Quietly confident: Having a strong belief in oneself or an outcome, but without boasting.
Example: "The team was quietly confident heading into the final match."
Feel confident about: To have a strong belief or assurance regarding something.
Example: "I feel confident about my chances of getting the job."
Bold as brass: (An idiom meaning very confident and assertive, sometimes impudently so).
Example: "He walked in, bold as brass, and demanded a refund."
Sure of oneself: (Meaning confident in one's abilities or judgment).
Example: "She's very sure of herself when it comes to public speaking."
Poised and collected: (Meaning confident and calm, especially under pressure).
Example: "Despite the challenge, he remained poised and collected."
Radiate assurance: (An original phrase, meaning to exude confidence).
Example: "The speaker seemed to radiate assurance from the moment she took the stage."
Believe in oneself: (A fundamental aspect of being confident).
Example: "To achieve anything great, you first have to believe in yourself."
Have faith in: (Meaning to trust or be confident in someone or something).
Example: "I have faith in your ability to succeed."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of confident from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
