confidence level: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
mediumformal, academic, technical
Quick answer
What does “confidence level” mean?
The degree of certainty or probability assigned to a statistical estimate or conclusion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The degree of certainty or probability assigned to a statistical estimate or conclusion.
A measure of trust or assurance in a particular assessment, outcome, or person's ability; the stated probability that a parameter lies within a calculated interval.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The concept and terminology are identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations. In non-technical metaphorical use, possibly slightly more common in American business jargon.
Frequency
Equally frequent in academic and technical writing in both regions. Slightly higher frequency in American corporate communications.
Grammar
How to Use “confidence level” in a Sentence
at a [95%] confidence levelwith a confidence level of [95%]the confidence level for [the estimate]calculate/establish/set a confidence levelVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “confidence level” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not applicable as a verb)
American English
- (Not applicable as a verb)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Not applicable as an adjective)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical use for expressing certainty in forecasts, e.g., 'We are proceeding with a high confidence level in the Q4 projections.'
Academic
Precise statistical term in research papers, e.g., 'The results were significant at a 95% confidence level.'
Everyday
Rare. Occasionally used to express personal certainty, e.g., 'I can recommend him with a high confidence level.'
Technical
Core statistical concept defining the probability that a parameter lies within a confidence interval, central to hypothesis testing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “confidence level”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “confidence level”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “confidence level”
- Using 'confidence interval' and 'confidence level' interchangeably (the level is the percentage, the interval is the range).
- Saying 'confidence levels' in the statistical context (usually singular).
- Omitting the percentage when the term is used technically.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The confidence level (e.g., 95%) is the probability that the method produces an interval that contains the parameter. The confidence interval is the actual range of values calculated from the sample data (e.g., 50 to 60).
It's quite formal and technical. In everyday talk, phrases like 'pretty sure', 'very confident', or 'degree of confidence' are more natural.
95% is the conventional standard in many fields like social sciences and medicine. Disciplines requiring more certainty (e.g., particle physics) may use 99% or higher.
Not necessarily. A higher confidence level (e.g., 99% vs 95%) means greater certainty the interval contains the parameter, but it produces a wider, less precise interval.
The degree of certainty or probability assigned to a statistical estimate or conclusion.
Confidence level is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Confidence level: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒn.fɪ.dəns ˌlev.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːn.fə.dəns ˌlev.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take it with a low confidence level. (metaphorical, rare)”
- “Operate at a 95% confidence level. (business jargon)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CONFIDENT scientist on a high LEVEL platform, announcing, 'I'm 95% sure!'
Conceptual Metaphor
CERTAINTY IS A MEASURABLE HEIGHT/QUANTITY (high/low confidence level).
Practice
Quiz
What does a '95% confidence level' specifically mean in statistics?