Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Self-confidence /sĕlˌ-fkän'-fəd-əns/ · Self·-con·fi·dence · IPA /sˌɛlfkˈɑnfədəns/ 01 n. The quality or state of being self-confident; self-reliance. 1. The quality or state of being self-confident; self-reliance. “A feeling of self-confidence which supported and sustained him.” — Beaconsfield.