confide

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "confide" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning to tell or trust someone with information in a private/confidential manner. Example: She confided in her best friend about her deepest fears and worries.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The face may only be a symbol of our confidence in openness, but our symbols are the things to which we confide our values.

The New Yorker

They just wanted someone to confide in who wouldn't just go straight to the police.

The Guardian

I confide in it things I keep from my own family.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There was really no one to confide in.

The Guardian

Shades of the Irish Parliamentary Party in 1918, they confide.

The Guardian

Cocooned from the outside world, she began to feel safe enough to confide in some of the staff about what had happened to her.

The Guardian

If you're a student undertaking or preparing for a year abroad and are concerned about sexual harassment, ask your university to clarify communication channels so you know who to talk to if an issue arises, and confide in friends and family.

The Guardian

Corporate universities usually come under the auspices of firms' human-resources departments, which are usually not geared up to do a more rigorous analysis of what they achieve.Privately, some firms confide another benefit of shifting management development in-house.

The Economist

But they treated him like a confessor, describing "how agonising it was, how their kids had been ostracised, beaten up, how one CEO had a glass of wine thrown at him in a restaurant".Not all firms are keen to confide.

The Economist

That, some of the participants confide, provided their first opportunity to hear how members of other races view the country's racial divisions normally a taboo subject.The programme has had plenty of teething problems.

The Economist

Some critics say that sort of approach contradicts the coalition government's stated commitment to "fairness".Yet the toughest resistance, some officials confide, comes from "householder activism"—code for middle-class protest rather than the poor.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confide", ensure the context clearly indicates who is entrusting the information and to whom it is being entrusted. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "confide" when the information being shared is not particularly sensitive or private. Reserve it for situations where a significant degree of trust is involved.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "confide" is as a verb, used transitively or intransitively, to describe the act of entrusting private information or secrets to someone. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in expressing trust and intimate communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confide" is a verb that signifies entrusting private information to someone, expressing trust and expecting confidentiality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It's most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and formal business contexts. When using "confide", ensure the context warrants the level of trust implied, and clarify who is entrusting the information to whom to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "entrust secrets" and "take into one's confidence". Remember, using "confide" appropriately enhances the depth and sincerity of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take into one's confidence

Indicates bringing someone into a position of trust and sharing secrets.

tell in confidence

Highlights the confidential aspect of sharing information.

entrust secrets

Focuses specifically on the act of entrusting secrets, a key component of "confide".

divulge private information

Highlights the act of disclosing information that is meant to be kept private.

share intimate details

Highlights the sharing of personal and private information.

reveal innermost thoughts

Emphasizes the revealing of deeply personal thoughts and feelings.

speak in secret

Focuses on the private and confidential nature of the conversation.

unburden oneself

Conveys the act of relieving oneself by sharing troubles or secrets.

open up to

Suggests becoming more communicative and sharing personal feelings.

place trust in

Emphasizes the act of trusting someone.

FAQs

How do I use "confide" in a sentence?

Use "confide" to describe the act of telling someone something private or secret, trusting that they will keep it confidential. For example, "She confided her fears to her therapist".

What's the difference between "confide" and "tell"?

"Confide" implies a higher level of trust and privacy than "tell". You "tell" someone general information, but you "confide" sensitive or personal matters.

What can I say instead of "confide in"?

You can use alternatives like "entrust", "take into one's confidence", or "share intimate details" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "confide to someone" or "confide in someone"?

While you can "confide" something to someone (i.e., confide a secret to a friend), it's more common to "confide in someone", indicating that you trust them. For example, "I "confide in" my sister".