confidant

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "confidant" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that refers to a person with whom one shares private or confidential information. For example, "His best friend was his confidant; he could tell her anything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Philip Gould, Blair's closest political confidant, once described him as 'a bastion of common sense'.

The Guardian

"We know that the in the last 48 hours he was thinking of the future and perhaps what happened in the last hours, this gave him the conviction," said Gagg, a long-time confidant of Blatter "We had lunch with him yesterday [Monday].

The Guardian - Sport

For its part Palestinian officials were equally confidant about the vote.

The Guardian

US embassy cables released by WikiLeaks described him as a confidant of the leader who makes "many of his [Gaddafi's] medical arrangements".

The Guardian

This is the current tactic to disrupt and delegitimise the negotiations in Muscat [in Oman]." On October 29 Vatan, a newspaper owned by Mehrdad Bazrpash, a confidant of former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, attacked the media for paying too little attention to the nuclear talks.

The Guardian

Back in 2002, according to the documents made public on Wednesday, an expert matched the handwriting to Susan Berman's manager and close confidant, Nyle Brenner.

The Guardian

There was another late-in-the-day bid to register as a presidential candidate in the person of Esfandiar Mashaei, a hugely controversial aide and close confidant of Mr Ahmadinejad, who has also fallen out with Mr Khamenei.

The Economist

The Obama confidant above seems to reinforce the narrative the McCain campaign would like to stick to the Democrat that ordinary Americans can't trust him.Even so, the very logic that Mr Obama's confidant describes that economic difficulties trump all other considerations this year means that the Obama side can probably get away with a little bit of message mismanagement on everything else.

The Economist

In the past few months Gianpiero Fiorani, boss of BPL and a close confidant of Mr Fazio, has more than doubled his stake in Antonveneta to 5% and rallied some allies.

The Economist

To fill their space they might be reduced to writing about what she was wearing (usually jeans with a man's shirt and tie), and hinting at her lesbianism.Highsmith's only confidant was her notebook.

The Economist

"In India the party needs a charismatic leader," argues Cho Ramaswamy, a confidant who says he both seduced and murdered her on stage in his acting days.Those looking for a mainstream alternative will struggle.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing relationships in formal writing, use "confidant" to denote a person with whom private matters are discussed. This conveys trust and discretion.

Common error

Avoid using overly casual synonyms for "confidant" in professional contexts. Terms like "buddy" or "pal" do not convey the same level of trust and discretion.

Linguistic Context

The word "confidant" functions primarily as a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in English. It identifies a person with whom one shares private or confidential information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confidant" is a noun denoting someone entrusted with private information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. Its primary function is to identify individuals in relationships marked by deep trust. While suitable for various contexts, it is most commonly found in news and formal settings. Consider using synonyms like "trusted advisor" or "intimate friend" to vary your vocabulary, but maintain the appropriate level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

best friend

A general term for a very close and trusted friend.

intimate friend

Focuses on the close personal relationship and emotional bond.

closest ally

Highlights the person's unwavering loyalty and support in achieving common goals.

true friend

Emphasizes the person's genuine care and support, particularly in difficult times.

trusted advisor

Emphasizes the advice and guidance aspect, highlighting the person's role in providing counsel.

right-hand person

Emphasizes the person's reliability and indispensable support.

close companion

Highlights the shared experiences and camaraderie.

bosom buddy

Suggests a strong, affectionate friendship, often implying shared secrets.

soulmate

Implies a deep, spiritual connection and understanding.

partner in crime

Focuses on shared adventures and possibly mischievous activities.

FAQs

How to use "confidant" in a sentence?

A "confidant" is a person to whom you can reveal your secrets and innermost thoughts. For example, "She was the president's most trusted confidant.".

What can I say instead of "confidant"?

You can use alternatives like "trusted advisor", "intimate friend", or "close companion" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "confidant" and "friend"?

"Friend" is a general term for someone you enjoy spending time with. A "confidant" is a friend in whom you place particular trust and to whom you reveal personal information.

Is "confidante" also correct?

"Confidante" is the feminine form of "confidant", used to refer to a female confidant. Both terms are correct, but "confidant" is sometimes used regardless of gender.