confidant

UK/.kɒnfi'dænt/US

GREC2

Definitions

A trusted person to whom one confides secrets and private matters

知己，心腹（可吐露秘密的人）

Root Breakdown

Root-derived

con-together, with

fidfaith, trust, confidence

-antperforming, being in a state

=confidant

con- (thoroughly) + fid (trust) + -ant (one who) = the person you trust completely. The confidant is the receiving end of confide — the one you hand your secrets to. (The female form confidante exists but is fading.)

Root fid still carries 16 more words

Example Sentences

1.
Over the years she became his closest confidant.
2.
Every leader needs a trusted confidant outside the office.
3.
The diary was the only confidant she ever truly had.

Easily Confused

confidant vs confident — Confidant is a person (a trusted friend); confident is an adjective (feeling sure). Near-homophones, totally different jobs: 'my confidant' (who) vs 'feeling confident' (how you feel).

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