sure

Examples

• All

• We could sure use some new blood around here.

  The Front Page (1974)

• You sure had me going there for a while.

  Sleuth (1972)

• Once you let that go, it sure makes everything so much easier.

• And even when things go really wrong, it sure seems like cops are supported.

• I mean, sure, let's do it, I guess.

• So they cleaned it out, and sure enough, the noise dropped a bit.

  Academic text (2003)

• Speaking of which, I could sure use some help with those hundreds of students every semester.

  Academic text (1999)

• So even if there's nothing worth watching, what there is will sure look and sound good.

  Academic text (1999)

• Answer, Mr. Cunningham: It sure sounds more like a Canadian problem than an American problem to me.

  Academic text (1998)

• So I said, OK, sure, we can talk Sunday night.

Synonyms

C

certainly

vssure

∞ 1.0

Showing that something is true or will happen without any doubt

is more informal and used commonly in American conversation

S

surely

vssure

∞ 1.0

Without any doubt

is more casual and American in everyday speech

F

for sure

vssure

• Informal

700 2.0

Without any doubt

is more informal and American in everyday speech

N

no doubt

vssure

515 1.8

Shows that something is almost certainly true, often before saying something different

is a simple casual affirmation rather than a concession

F

for certain

vssure

104 1.3

To be completely sure and have no doubt

is more colloquial and shorter in everyday American speech

Y

you bet

vssure

• Informal

87 5.4

To say yes very strongly to show something is certain

is a casual American adverb used to show certainty

S

sure enough

vssure

58 2.7

Shows that something happens exactly as expected

is a general casual certainty not tied to prediction confirmation

S

sure as shit

vssure

• Offensive

5 9.9

You can be certain it is true

is similar but is polite and not crude in speech

S

sure as shooting

vssure

• Informal

1 8.2

Completely certain that something will happen

is simple informal certainty without extra vividness

A

alright

vssure

• Informal

1 2.0

Shows that something is true or sure

is more informal and used especially in American speech

S

sure as sugar

vssure

• Informal

1 8.8

Certain to happen without any doubt

is the plain informal expression without the playful tone

S

sure as the world

vssure

• Informal

9.1

Certain to happen

is less grand and more plain in everyday use

S

sure as eggs

vssure

• Archaic

9.9

Says that something will definitely happen or is true

is a neutral casual claim of certainty, not a promise

Antonyms

P

perhaps

∞ 1.0

To say something might be true

M

maybe

14 3.1

An answer that is not a clear yes or no

Idioms

F

for sure

• Informal

700 2.0

Without any doubt

T

to be sure

104 4.9

Admitting something is true before you say something else

S

sure enough

58 2.7

Shows that something happens exactly as expected

S

sure as shit

• Offensive

5 9.9

You can be certain it is true

S

sure as shooting

• Informal

1 8.2

Completely certain that something will happen

S

sure as sugar

• Informal

1 8.8

Certain to happen without any doubt

A

absotively sure

• Informal

9.8

Completely certain that something is true

S

sure as eggs

• Archaic

9.9

Says that something will definitely happen or is true

S

sure as the world

• Informal

9.1

Certain to happen

Compounds

S

sure thing

77 2.4

Something that is certain to happen or succeed

S

sure-fire

8 4.4

Certain to work and bring success

S

sure-enough

• Informal

1 8.1

Clearly real and not fake to show you really mean it

P

positutely sure

• Informal

9.8

Completely certain that something is true

S

Sure Start Maternity Grant

• UK

5.8

A one-time payment from the UK government to help with baby costs for parents who meet certain rules

How Certain

absolutely

∞ 1.0

certainly

∞ 1.0

sure

• Informal

∞ 1.0

probably

∞ 1.0

possibly

∞ 1.0

maybe

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology