confidence

n.

1. Faith

   reliance, trust, belief; see faith 1.

2. Self-assurance

   self-confidence, self-reliance, assurance, self-possession, aplomb, poise, morale, fearlessness, boldness, hardihood, resolution, firmness, stoutheartedness, intrepidity, sureness, certitude, conviction, faith in oneself, self-esteem, tenacity, mettle, fortitude, élan, certainty, resoluteness, determination, daring, spirit, overconfidence, cockiness, arrogance, pluck*, dash*, grit*, cool*, heart*, backbone*, nerve*, spunk*, chutzpah*; see also courage 1, determination 2.

3. A secret

   private matter, personal matter, privileged communication, confidential information; see secret.

confidence, in this comparison, implies belief in one's own abilities, or, esp. in the form self-confidence, reliance on one's own powers he has confidence he will succeed; shy and lacking in self-confidence; assurance, in this connection, suggests an even stronger belief in one's ability, but in an unfavorable sense, it may connote (as may, occasionally, confidence) conceited or arrogant self-sufficiency; self-possession suggests that presence of mind which results from the ability to control one's feelings and behavior; aplomb refers, usually in a favorable sense, to an evident assurance of manner manifesting self-possession she stood her ground with admirable aplomb See also syn. study at belief.