confidant
/ˈkɒnfɪdant
/ /ˌkɒnfɪˈdant / /ˌkɒnfɪˈdɑːnt/noun (feminine confidante pronounced same)
A person with whom one shares a secret or private matter, trusting them not to repeat it to others: a close confidante of the princess...
- Of the latter, he says: ‘John didn't have any close friends or confidants.’
- I think this president has long looked to his key confidants, his closest friends, to key jobs.
- So she is your best friend, your closest confidante, your mirror image, or even the bane of your existence.
Synonyms
close friend, bosom friend, best friend, close associate, companion, crony, intimate, familiar, second self;
mentor, adviser, counsellor;
Latin alter ego;
Italian consigliere
informal chum, pal, buddy, main man
British informal mate, oppo, mucker, bezzie
rare fidus Achates
Origin
Mid 17th century: alteration of confident (as a noun in the same sense in the early 17th century), probably to represent the pronunciation of French confidente 'having full trust'.