Confide

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /kÉ™nˈfaɪd/
• Rhymes: -aɪd

Origin

From Latin confīdō ("I trust fully, I am assured, confide, rely"), from con- ("together") + fīdō ("I trust"); see faith, fidelity.

Full definition of confide

Verb

1. (intransitive, now rare) To trust, have faith (in).
• 1796, Matthew Lewis, The Monk, Folio Society 1985, p. 269:"Be calm, lovely Antonia!" he replied; "no danger in near you: confide in my protection."
• 1818, Mary Shelley, Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus, Everyman's Library 1973, p. 10:"I shall do nothing rashly: you know me sufficiently to confide in my prudence and consideration whenever the safety of others is committed to my care."
• ByronIn thy protection I confide.
2. (transitive, dated) To entrust (something) to the responsibility of someone.I confide this mission to you alone.
3. (intransitive) To take (someone) into one's confidence, to speak in secret with. ( + in)I could no longer keep this secret alone; I decided to confide in my brother.
4. (transitive, intransitive) To say (something) in confidence.After several drinks, I confided my problems to the barman.She confided that her marriage had been in trouble for some time.

Related terms

• confidant
• confidante
• confidence
• confident
• confidential
• overconfident