self-confidencen.
/ˌsɛlfˈkɒnfᵻd(ə)ns/, U.S. /ˌsɛlfˈkɑnfəd(ə)ns/ Confidence in one's abilities, qualities, and judgement; confidence in oneself.Now usually with positive connotations; however, in early use often with negative connotations of arrogance or hubris (cf. confidence n. 4a).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > excessive self-confidence > [noun]
overtrust?c1225
self-witc1425
self-trust1526
self-wisdom1571
self-assurance1595
confidence1599
self-confidence1604
self-security1606
self-sufficiencya1617
sufficiency1638
self-wittedness1647
self-trusting1658
self-poise1774
suffisance1781
cock-surety1819
disinvolturac1847
cocksureness1878
cocksureism1889
the mind > emotion > courage > confidence > self-confidence > [noun]
sickerness?c1225
assuredness1591
assurance1594
self-confidence1604
self-reliance1668
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > [noun] > self-confidence
self-assurance1595
self-confidence1604
self-possession1665
aplomb1828
self-assuredness1858
self-efficacy1930
swag2002
1604 J. Downham Christian Warfare 125 Take away from vs all selfe-confidence, presumption and cause of boasting, and cause vs wholy to relie vpon his mercie and Christs merits.
1653 J. Gauden Hieraspistes 69 A matter..of self-confidence and intollerable boastings.
1691 J. Hartcliffe Treat. Virtues 405 Self-confidence and Self-Conceit render Men Fools.
1708 Acct. Remarkable Passages Life Private Gentleman i. 5 Being full of Self-Confidence, I fell in to Snares.
1781 S. Johnson Pope in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets VII. 12 Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.
1825 W. Scott Talisman i, in Tales Crusaders III. 11 The calm self-confidence, belonging to the victor in many contests.
1849 A. Alison Hist. Europe from French Revol. (new ed.) II. vii. 135 Self-confidence, or, in plainer language, impudence, was the great secret of his success.
1879 W. E. Gladstone Gleanings Past Years VI. iii. 120 Both rather abounded in self-confidence.
1921 Rotarian May 261/3 (advt.) Unconsciously that course gave me a self-confidence that I had always needed.
1977 Black Belt Feb. 27 (heading) Martial arts builds self-confidence in children and young people.
2003 P. Lovesey House Sitter (2004) xxii. 338 He felt buoyed up after speaking to Hen. Her hearty self-confidence didn't even contemplate failure.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1604