confidence man: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

There is no practical difference in meaning. 'Con man' is simply a clipped, informal version of 'confidence man'. 'Confidence man' sounds more formal or old-fashioned.

It is widely attributed to the United States in the mid-19th century. One of the first recorded uses was in 1849 by a New York City newspaper referring to a swindler named William Thompson, who would ask strangers, "Have you confidence in me to trust me with your watch?"

Yes, absolutely. While the term uses 'man' in the traditional generic sense, a female practitioner is a 'confidence woman' or, more commonly, a 'con artist' or 'con woman'. The criminal method is gender-neutral.

No. A pickpocket steals through stealth and sleight of hand, often without the victim's awareness at the moment. A confidence man's theft is interactive and relies on the victim voluntarily handing over valuables based on a fabricated relationship or story.

A person who cheats others by first gaining their trust and then tricking them into giving up money or valuables.

Confidence man is usually formal, journalistic, literary. found in historical and true-crime narratives. in register.

Confidence man: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒnfɪdəns ˌmæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːnfɪdəns ˌmæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.