Confident vs. Confidence

Confident

Confidence has a common meaning of a certainty about handling something, such as work, family, social events, or relationships. Some have ascribed confidence as a state of being certain either that a hypothesis or prediction is correct or that a chosen course of action is the best or most effective. Self-confidence is having confidence in one’s self. Arrogance or hubris in this comparison is having unmerited confidence – believing something or someone is capable or correct when they are not. Overconfidence or presumptuousness is excessive belief in someone (or something) succeeding, without any regard for failure. Confidence can be a self-fulfilling prophecy as those without it may fail or not try because they lack it and those with it may succeed because they have it rather than because of an innate ability. Taken to an extreme, over-confidence can cause problems as evidenced by the famous author Matthew Syed and mentioned here in this reference in regard to sport.

Confidence

Confidence has a common meaning of a certainty about handling something, such as work, family, social events, or relationships. Some have ascribed confidence as a state of being certain 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 a self-confidence is having trust in one’s self. Arrogance or hubris in this comparison is having unmerited confidence – believing something or someone is capable or correct when they are not. Overconfidence or presumptuousness is excessive belief in someone (or something) succeeding, without any regard for failure. Confidence can be a self-fulfilling prophecy as those without it may fail or not try because they lack it and those with it may succeed because they have it rather than because of an innate ability.

Confidence (noun)

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”

Confidence (noun)

the state of feeling certain about the truth of something

“I can say with confidence that I have never before driven up this street”

Confidence (noun)

a feeling of self-assurance arising from an appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities

“he would walk up those steps with a confidence he didn’t feel”

“she’s brimming with confidence”

Confidence (noun)

the telling of private matters or secrets with mutual trust

“someone with whom you may raise your suspicions in confidence”

Confidence (noun)

a secret or private matter told to someone under a condition of trust

“the girls exchanged confidences about their parents”