Confide In: Meaning, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：share secrets with (confide in)

confide in 🔊

/kənˈfaɪd ɪn/

phr.v.

To tell someone your secrets or private thoughts because you trust them completely.

Confide in meaning: two people sharing secrets on a garden bench

share secrets with 🔊

➕

/ʃɛr ˈsiːkrɪts wɪð/

phr.v.

To tell someone your private thoughts, feelings, or secrets because you trust them not to betray you.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'confidere': 'com-' (intensive) + 'fidere' (to trust).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'con' (with) + 'fide' (faith) = confide: share secrets with faith.

📖 Example

When I feel overwhelmed with work, I confide in my colleague, who offers great advice. 🔊 When I feel overwhelmed with work, I confide in my colleague, who offers great advice.

🔗 Collocations

confide in a friend – to share personal secrets with a friend you trust

confide in your therapist – to reveal private feelings and thoughts to a therapist

confide in someone you trust – to tell secrets to a person you have faith in

🔄 Synonyms

open up to (phr.v.) – to start sharing your feelings or problems with someone

trust with (phr.v.) – to entrust someone with personal information

unburden to (phr.v.) – to relieve yourself of a burden by telling someone your troubles

🚫 Antonyms

hide from (phr.v.) – to keep secrets or feelings from someone

conceal from (phr.v.) – to deliberately hide information from someone

keep secret from (phr.v.) – to not tell someone about something private

🌱 Derivatives

confidant (n.) – a person in whom you confide your secrets

confiding (adj.) – willing to tell secrets; trusting

confidence (n.) – the feeling of trust in someone; also a secret told in trust

📖 Cultural Story

From Latin 'confidere' (com- 'intensive' + fidere 'trust'). Used since 15th century. Reflects the deep trust needed to share secrets. Common in therapy, close friendships, and legal confessions.