What does confidant mean?
A confidant is a person in whom one places complete trust, particularly someone with whom private matters, secrets, or personal feelings are shared in the expectation of discretion. The word implies a relationship deeper than ordinary friendship: a confidant is not merely liked but relied upon, often serving as an adviser, sounding board, or keeper of sensitive information. It appears frequently in descriptions of political advisers, royal servants, literary characters, and long-standing friendships — anyone positioned close enough to hear what others must not. The term is somewhat formal in register, lending gravity to the relationship it describes. A traditional feminine form, confidante, survives in print, though many writers now use confidant for all genders. The word should not be confused with the adjective confident, which describes self-assurance rather than trust between people. Derived ultimately from Latin roots meaning "to trust fully," it remains one of English's most precise terms for earned intimacy.
nounA person with whom one shares a secret or private matter, trusting them not to repeat it to others; a close trusted friend or adviser.
- A person entrusted with private information or secrets.
- A close friend or adviser in whom one has complete trust.
"As her closest confidant, he was the only one she told about the job offer."
"The queen's diary revealed that her maid had been her most trusted confidant for decades."
"Every leader needs a confidant who will give honest advice away from the public eye."
The standard plural simply adds -s; the variant spelling "confidantes" is occasionally seen alongside "confidante."
"Over the years, the senator gathered a small circle of confidants who knew his true intentions."
Despite ending in -ant like the adjective "confident," a confidant is always a person — the one person who knows your secrets and keeps them.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of confidant
"Confidant" entered English in the early 17th century, borrowed from French confident, which itself came from Italian confidente, meaning "trusting" or "a trusted person." The Italian word derives from Latin confidere, "to trust completely," formed from com- ("with, thoroughly") plus fidere ("to trust"). This same Latin root gives English a family of related words including confide, confidence, fidelity, and diffident.
Related word forms
How confidant is actually used
The word carries connotations of intimacy, discretion, and deep trust — it is more formal and weighty than "friend." The feminine form "confidante" is still seen but increasingly "confidant" is used regardless of gender. Note that both the first syllable and the final syllable can vary slightly by region.
Easily confused with confidant
"Confident" is an adjective meaning self-assured, while "confidant" is a noun meaning a trusted person with whom secrets are shared.
"Confidante" is a variant spelling traditionally used for a female confidant, though "confidant" is now common for all genders.