Confident

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈkɒnfɪdənt/

Definitions

1. Feeling certain about one's abilities, qualities, or judgment, and showing this through one's behavior or manner
2. Having a strong belief in one's own skills or attributes, which is often expressed through assertive actions or demeanor
3. Exhibiting assurance in one’s capabilities, resulting in a self-reliant attitude and approachable presence

Etymology: The adjective "confident" carries a surprise in its Latin ancestor: "confidens" could describe a bold or even impudent person, not just a self-assured one. The Latin word was the present participle of "confidere," meaning "to trust fully," and the sense of trust reached into English through Middle French. Its early meanings leaned toward trust and reliance, so a confident person was someone who trusted in their own abilities or in another's support. Over time the word's meaning split in two directions. English speakers used "confident" for trust in other people, and for certainty of one's own powers, and the second sense is the one that dominates today. The Latin "confidens" already held both good and bad connotations, with boldness that could tip into arrogance, and English kept some of that ambiguity alive.

Synonyms: self-assured, assured

Antonyms: insecure, uncertain