Pronunciation: [kˈɒnfɪdənsɪz] (IPA) 
Confidences is a plural form of the word 'confidence'. The phonetic transcription of the word is /ˈkɒn.fɪ.dənsɪz/. It is spelled with a 'c', followed by an 'o' and 'n' and 'f' and a 'i' which forms the beginning of the unstressed 'i' sound. Then comes the 'd' followed by 'e' and 'n' which correspond to the syllable's stressed vowel. The '-ce' ending is written with an 's' in the plural form making it 'confidences'.
Confidences, in its plural form, refers to the personal secrets or private information that is shared with another person or a select few individuals, indicating a level of trust and intimacy. Derived from the word "confidence," which signifies trust, self-assurance, or belief in oneself, "confidences" involves the act of entrusting confidential matters to someone else.
Confidences are typically shared amongst close friends, family members, or confidants in a person’s life, as they rely on the assurance that the sensitive information will be kept in strict confidence, without being disclosed to others. These confidential matters may include personal stories, worries, ambitions, fears, vulnerabilities, or any other intimate topics that the individual feels comfortable discussing with the entrusted person.
The act of sharing confidences serves various purposes, such as seeking advice, seeking emotional support, relieving oneself of burdens or stress, bonding with someone, or simply aiming for a deeper connection. It is essential to establish a level of trust when sharing confidences, as it fosters an environment of openness, understanding, and empathy between individuals.
The preservation of confidences is highly valued in ethical and moral contexts, as breaching the trust placed in someone may lead to damaged relationships, emotional harm, or trust issues. Hence, individuals who are entrusted with confidences are expected to exercise discretion, honesty, and respect in maintaining the confidentiality of the shared information, hence further solidifying the bond of trust and confidentiality between the involved parties.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "confidences" has its etymology in the Old French term "confidence", meaning "trust, assurance, familiarity" which dates back to the 14th century. It ultimately derives from the Latin word "confidentia", which carries the same meaning. The Latin root consists of "con-" (meaning "with") and "fides" (meaning "trust" or "faith"). Over time, "confidence" evolved into the plural form "confidences" to refer to multiple expressions of trust, secrets, or intimate conversations shared between individuals.
