certain

Examples

• All

• The one thing we can all say for certain is that we could have made it better.

  Academic text (2011)

• In sum, past energy surprises pale in comparison with those now certain to occur.

  Academic text (1999)

• To make absolutely certain nothing goes wrong.

  Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)

• I have to make certain that you are not armed.

  The Maltese Falcon (1941)

• Literature within this tradition is certain to remain a major part of the field.

  Academic text (1990)

• Instead, he remained intransigent, certain that time was on his side.

• We have certain rights which are inalienable.

  Hitler's Children (1943)

• Each day when it didn't come, she became more certain it never would.

  Fiction book (1990)

• It's perfectly true that we're born with certain expectations for the world.

• Joy was minimal, but afterward there was a certain sense of achievement.

  Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

I

inevitable

vscertain

318 4.6

Certain to happen and cannot be stopped

covers general guaranteed truth rather than unavoidable fate

S

sure

vscertain

283 1.0

Certain to happen or be true

is the general statement of guaranteed occurrence

D

definite

vscertain

157 1.6

Clearly stated or decided and not vague

focuses more on inevitability or guarantee than precision

A

assured

vscertain

79 3.6

Certain to continue in the future

is the general notion of being presented as sure

B

beyond doubt

vscertain

74 2.8

Completely certain with no possible reason to think it is wrong

says the same idea but is more general in tone

B

beyond a doubt

vscertain

55 3.0

Completely sure with no chance of being wrong

expresses the same certainty but in fewer words

U

undeniable

vscertain

51 4.2

So clear that people cannot doubt it

is similar but may not stress obviousness as much

I

irrefutable

vscertain

21 7.8

Impossible to deny or prove wrong

is offered as true yet might lack direct proof

I

indisputable

vscertain

21 5.7

You cannot doubt it because it is clearly true

is stated as guaranteed but can be less absolute

S

sure-fire

vscertain

13 4.4

Certain to work and bring success

is used more generally for expected truth or result

I

incontrovertible

vscertain

• Formal

10 8.2

Clearly true and impossible to doubt

is expressed as definite but may allow rare challenge

U

unquestionable

vscertain

8 4.1

Clearly true so no one can doubt it

is a broader term for being presented as definite

I

indubitable

vscertain

• Formal

1 8.7

Completely certain and clearly true

is used for strong claims but not always absolute

A

absotively sure

vscertain

• Informal

1 9.8

Completely certain that something is true

is the standard, neutral expression of guaranteed truth

P

posilutely certain

vscertain

• Informal

9.0

Completely sure in a strong, playful way

keeps a neutral guarantee without playful emphasis

P

positutely sure

vscertain

• Informal

9.8

Completely certain that something is true

is the straightforward, nonemphatic way to state a guarantee

Antonyms

U

uncertain

145 2.8

Not known for sure and likely to change

U

uncertain

41 3.9

Not feeling sure or confident

D

doubtful

14 3.0

Not sure about something and not ready to believe it

Idioms

F

for certain

86 1.3

To be completely sure and have no doubt

C

certain of

56 2.7

Sure that something is true or will happen

O

of a certain age

4 7.2

A polite way to talk about someone who is not young, often middle-aged

Compounds

P

posilutely certain

• Informal

9.0

Completely sure in a strong, playful way

How Certain

inevitable

318 4.6

certain

286 1.0

likely

∞ 1.0

possible

∞ 1.0

doubtful

54 3.0

Surface Forms

Etymology