a confidant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a confidant" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a person with whom one shares secrets or private matters, often implying a close and trusting relationship. Example: "She confided in her best friend, knowing he would always be a confidant she could trust."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Our item defined a confidant as someone whom the subject can talk to, confide in and trust.

BMC Geriatrics

Instead he nominated a confidant, Jiri Rusnok, who, more than a decade ago, served him as finance minister.

The Economist

Want a confidant?

The New York Times

"They pissed on him," a confidant says.

The New York Times

"He was a calming influence, a confidant.

The New York Times

It was like a confidant," she said.

The New Yorker

He became a confidant of presidents.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It was like a confidant".

The New Yorker

"A lover or a confidant.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's cool to have an advocate and a confidant.

The New Yorker

He is a mentor, a sounding board and a confidant.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In contemporary English, "a confidant" is largely used as a gender-neutral term, though you may still encounter the feminine spelling "confidante" in more traditional or literary contexts.

Common error

Avoid the common homophone error: use "a confidant" (ending in -ant) for the person you trust, and "confident" (ending in -ent) for the feeling of self-assurance. You can be "confident" in your "confidant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a confidant" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement (e.g. "He was a confidant") or a direct object. According to Ludwig AI, it is a stable and standard way to identify a person within a trust-based relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a confidant" is a precise and highly respected noun phrase used to denote a trusted individual who handles private matters. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread presence in top-tier publications like The New York Times and The Economist, where it often describes the close relationships of influential figures. The phrase is grammatically sound and carries a professional, neutral tone that is suitable for both personal storytelling and formal reporting. Writers should be particularly careful to avoid the common spelling confusion with the adjective "<a href="/s/confident" target="_blank" rel="alternative">confident". Overall, it remains an essential term for describing the nuances of human trust and professional advisory roles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a trusted advisor

Emphasizes the providing of guidance rather than just the keeping of secrets

a close friend

More informal and implies an emotional bond without necessarily focusing on secret-sharing

a sounding board

Suggests a person used to test ideas or vent thoughts rather than a keeper of deep secrets

a secret-keeper

Literal and slightly more informal, focusing purely on the act of maintaining privacy

a mentor

Focuses on a hierarchical relationship where the senior person provides professional wisdom

a loyal ally

Suggests strategic support or political backing in addition to trust

a counselor

Often implies a professional or therapeutic role rather than a personal friendship

a companion

Implies togetherness and presence but lacks the explicit element of private disclosure

a partner

Suggests equality and shared action, which may or may not include private confidences

an associate

Much more formal and distant, often strictly professional

FAQs

What is the difference between "a confidant" and "confident"?

"a confidant" is a noun referring to a person you trust with secrets, whereas "<a href="/s/confident" target="_blank" rel="alternative">confident" is an adjective meaning self-assured or certain.

Should I use "confidant" or "confidante" for a woman?

While "<a href="/s/confidante" target="_blank" rel="alternative">confidante" is the traditional feminine form derived from French, "a confidant" is now widely accepted and used for all genders in modern English.

What can I say instead of "a confidant"?

Depending on the tone, you can use "<a href="/s/trusted+friend" target="_blank" rel="alternative">trusted friend", "<a href="/s/close+associate" target="_blank" rel="alternative">close associate" or "<a href="/s/intimate" target="_blank" rel="alternative">intimate".

Can "a confidant" be used in a professional setting?

Yes, as shown in Ludwig examples from The Economist and Forbes, it is frequently used to describe close advisors to CEOs, politicians and public figures.