1. a. a feeling or consciousness of one’s powers or of reliance on one’s circumstances <had perfect confidence in her ability to succeed> <met the risk with brash confidence>

b. faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way <have confidence in a leader>

2. the quality or state of being certain : certitude <they had every confidence of success>

3. a. a relation of trust or intimacy <took his friend into his confidence>

b. reliance on another’s discretion <their story was told in strictest confidence>

c. support especially in a legislative body <vote of confidence>

4. a communication made in confidence : secret <accused him of betraying a confidence>