Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
     
Lookup History
certain

cer·tain

certain

 
 
pronunciation:
suhr tn
parts of speech:
adjective, pronoun
phrases:
for certain
features:
Word Combinations (adjective), Word Builder, Word Explorer
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: without doubt; convinced; sure.
I'm certain that she's still alive.You shouldn't be so certain about winning; there is still a chance you will lose.She was certain of her husband's innocence.
synonyms:
confident, convinced, positive, sure
antonyms:
doubtful, dubious, hesitant, uncertain, undecided, unsure
similar words:
cocksure, doubtless, satisfied, undoubting
definition 2: known without question; indisputable.
It is certain that our planet is not flat.
synonyms:
definite, incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, indubitable, irrefragable, irrefutable, undeniable, undoubted, unequivocal, unquestionable
antonyms:
gray, supposed, uncertain
similar words:
absolute, actual, apparent, bound, clear, confirmed, decisive, evident, factual, inescapable, obvious, plain, real, self-evident, true, unquestioned, valid
definition 3: fixed; definite.
The club only admits a certain number of people each year.
synonyms:
definite, fixed, predetermined
antonyms:
indefinite, indeterminate, uncertain, undetermined
similar words:
specific
definition 4: sure to happen; inevitable.
We thought success was certain.
synonyms:
assured, inevitable, sure
antonyms:
hazardous, improbable, precarious, uncertain, unlikely
similar words:
automatic, bound, cinched, clinched, fixed, foolproof, in the cards, irrevocable, on ice, secure, settled, sure-fire, unstoppable
definition 5: destined (usu. fol. by an infinitive).
The king's nephew is now certain to inherit the throne.We all thought the horse was certain to win.
synonyms:
bound, sure
similar words:
doomed, guaranteed
definition 6: not specified but assumed to be known.
A certain gentleman asked me for your phone number today.
synonyms:
particular
similar words:
specific
definition 7: small in amount, but noticeable.
He has a certain arrogance that I find irritating.
synonyms:
slight
similar words:
appreciable, discernible, noticeable, observable, perceptible
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
phrase: for certain
 
part of speech: pronoun
definition: an unspecified but finite number; some.
Certain of her friends criticized her decision to quit.
synonyms:
some
similar words:
a few, several
Word Builder: certain +
  • certainly:
    yes, indeed; of course; without any doubt.
Word Explorer
See
  knowledge