confidently
gb/kˈɑnfədəntli/ us/kˈɑnfədəntli/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
in a self-assured way
in a way that shows you are sure of yourself
Usage pattern:
[someone] speaks/acts/moves confidently
Common mistake:
Don’t use the adjective *confident* where an adverb is needed (e.g., say *She spoke confidently*, not *She spoke confident*).
Synonyms
self-assuredly (More explicitly about self-confidence.)
|
boldly (Often suggests courage or willingness to take risks.)
Antonyms
nervously (Shows anxiety rather than self-assurance.)
|
timidly (Shows shyness or lack of confidence.)
Collocations
speak confidently
|talk confidently
|answer confidently
|respond confidently
|walk confidently
|smile confidently
|present confidently
|perform confidently
|handle [something] confidently
|deal with [something] confidently
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily_life
Examples
- She walked confidently onto the stage and began her presentation.
- He answered the interviewer’s questions confidently and clearly.
- Even as a beginner, she played the song confidently.
Learner examples
- He spoke confidently in class.
- She walked confidently to the front.
adverb
B2
state
2
with certainty about a statement
showing you are sure something is true
Usage pattern:
[someone] says/states/claims/predicts [that-clause] confidently
Common mistake:
Not the same as *confidentially* (secretly).
Synonyms
certainly (Often sounds more neutral and less personal.)
|
definitely (Stronger emphasis; common in conversation.)
Antonyms
doubtfully (Suggests you think it may not be true.)
|
uncertainly (Shows lack of sure knowledge.)
Collocations
confidently say
|confidently state
|confidently claim
|confidently assert
|confidently predict
|confidently report
|confidently conclude
|confidently assume
|confidently believe
|confidently expect
Themes
communication
|thinking
Examples
- I can confidently say that the new system is faster than the old one.
- Analysts confidently predict that prices will rise again next year.
- She confidently claimed she had never seen the document before.
Learner examples
- I can confidently say it is correct.
adverb
B2
state
3
with assurance for a decision
feeling sure about a decision or action
Usage pattern:
[someone] chooses/decides/invests/proceeds confidently
Common mistake:
In this sense, *confidently* often refers to making a decision with assurance, not just looking confident.
Synonyms
assuredly (More formal; emphasizes firm assurance.)
|
securely (Emphasizes safety or reliability of the choice.)
Antonyms
hesitantly (Shows reluctance or uncertainty about what to do.)
|
reluctantly (Shows unwillingness rather than assurance.)
Collocations
choose confidently
|decide confidently
|proceed confidently
|move forward confidently
|invest confidently
|confidently recommend
|confidently choose
|confidently proceed
|confidently book
|confidently rely on [something]
Themes
decision_making
|business
|daily_life
Examples
- With the warranty in place, you can confidently buy the refurbished laptop.
- After reviewing the data, the team confidently moved forward with the launch.
- If you follow these steps, you can confidently submit your application.
Learner examples
- You can confidently choose this option.
Grammar
Dictionary form
confidently
IPA
GB/kˈɑnfədəntli/
US/kˈɑnfədəntli/
Syllables & stress
con - fid - ently (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (con)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: confidently
- Plural: confidentlies
Word family
Forms
confidentlies
noun
Core family
confident
adjective B1
confidence
noun B1
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unconfident
adjective
Advanced or less common
confidentiality
noun C1
confidant
noun
Expressions
can confidently say (that) ...
1/kən kˈɑnfədəntli sˈeɪ ðˈæt |/
fixed phrase
emphasize you are sure
used to say you are very sure
Examples
- I can confidently say that this is the best decision we’ve made all year.
- She can confidently say she did her part of the work.
- We can confidently say the product meets the safety standards.
confidently incorrect
1/kˈɑnfədəntli ɪŋkɚˈɛkt/
fixed phrase
informal
sure but wrong
sure you are right, but wrong
Examples
- He was confidently incorrect about the date, and everyone followed his mistake.
- The post is confidently incorrect—those statistics were debunked years ago.
- I love how confidently incorrect that comment is.
confidently predict (that) ...
1/kˈɑnfədəntli pɹɪdˈɪkt ðˈæt |/
fixed phrase
make a sure-sounding prediction
to say what will happen and feel sure
Examples
- Experts confidently predict that demand will increase over the next decade.
- She confidently predicted a win, but the game was much closer than expected.
- Several commentators confidently predicted the policy would fail.