gain confidence — become confident
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
To gradually start feeling more sure of yourself and your abilities.
Say it like a native
Textbook She augmented her self-assurance over time.
Native She gained confidence over time.
'Augmented her self-assurance' is stiff; 'gain confidence' is the natural phrase.
Pattern: gain confidence (in something/doing something)
In use
- After practicing her speech several times, she began to gain confidence.daily life
- I gained confidence in my English skills by talking with native speakers every day.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I gained a confidence after practice.
✓ I gained confidence after practice.
Uncountable — no 'a'.
Common collocations
gain confidence— in, more, slowly, build
Don't confuse it
Compare with 'lose confidence,' which means to start doubting yourself.