confident

Everyday

1. Confident means feeling sure that you can do something well: a confident swimmer. tree →
2. Confident means sure that something will happen or is true: I'm confident we'll win. tree →

In the lessons

At school, teachers help pupils feel confident speaking in front of the class, reading aloud and trying hard maths problems; confidence grows with practice and making mistakes. In safety, being confident to say «no» and to ask for help is important. In stories, a confident character may be brave or, if too confident, may make mistakes (overconfident, like the hare in «The Tortoise and the Hare»). Phrases: confident about, confident that, confident in, feel confident, self-confident.

Examples

• I feel confident about my spelling test. tree →
• She is a confident swimmer now. tree →
• The teacher was confident that we would finish on time. tree →
• Practice makes you more confident. tree →
• He walked confidently onto the stage. tree →
• The hare was so confident he would win that he took a nap. tree →
• They talked of Cinderella, and Tootles was confident that his mother must have been very like her. tree →

Note

Adjective; noun «confidence», adverb «confidently». Trap: «confident» (sure of yourself) vs «confidant» (a person you trust with secrets) — similar spelling. Opposite: unsure, nervous, shy. Being confident is different from showing off.

In Jewish tradition

Often means trusting or feeling secure, sometimes in a bad way: careless, proud, or falsely safe. In Proverbs and Isaiah it can describe a fool or complacent women. In Job it means unafraid.

Interpretation. Tradition's wisdom books praise real trust in God. They warn against false confidence that ignores danger or sin.

Examples

• A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; but the fool behaveth overbearingly, and is confident. (Writings PRO.14.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Behold, if a river overflow, he trembleth not; he is confident, though the Jordan rush forth to his mouth. (Writings JOB.40.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• Rise up, ye women that are at ease, and hear my voice; ye confident daughters, give ear unto my speech. (Prophets ISA.32.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Adjective; noun «confidence», adverb «confidently». Trap: «confident» (sure of yourself) vs «confidant» (a person you trust with secrets) — similar spelling. Opposite: unsure, nervous, shy. Being confident is different from showing off.