certain
free from doubt or reservation; confident; sure: I am certain he will come.
destined; sure to happen (usually followed by an infinitive): He is certain to be there.
inevitable; bound to come: They realized then that war was certain.
established as true or sure; unquestionable; indisputable: It is certain that he tried.
fixed; agreed upon; settled: on a certain day; for a certain amount.
definite or particular, but not named or specified: A certain person phoned. He had a certain charm.
that may be depended on; trustworthy; unfailing; reliable: His aim was certain.
some though not much: a certain reluctance.
Obsolete. steadfast.
certain ones: Certain of the members declined the invitation.
Idioms about certain
for certain, without a doubt; surely: I know for certain that I have seen that face before.
Origin of certain
1Other words for certain
Words Nearby certain
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use certain in a sentence
There are certain people you meet, and right away you can tell they have a good heart.
A Welcome Lifeline | Washington Regional Transplant Community | September 17, 2020 | Washington BladeTo that end, NBCU will effectively tailor the measurement program to take into account non-advertising factors specific to certain types of advertisers.
NBCUniversal tests new measurement program to prove it can push product sales for advertisers | Tim Peterson | September 17, 2020 | DigidayJames Robinson, who has spent decades researching why certain states and societies prosper, he’s come to a more nuanced understanding.
Does Anyone Really Know What Socialism Is? (Ep. 408 Rebroadcast) | Stephen J. Dubner | September 17, 2020 | FreakonomicsInitially, the task force focused almost entirely on trying to keep the virus out of the country, rather than preparing for an all-but-certain outbreak in the United States, these people said.
Ten days: After an early coronavirus warning, Trump is distracted as he downplays threat | Ashley Parker, Josh Dawsey, Yasmeen Abutaleb | September 17, 2020 | Washington PostIt was an isolated examination of a certain time period, one that we’re now past.
The problem with Trump’s ‘herd mentality’ line isn’t the verbal flub. It’s the mass death. | Philip Bump | September 16, 2020 | Washington Post
certain features of its history suggest why this may be the case.
Unlike the Soviet Union at a certain period in history, the Russian economy does not hold a candle to that of the United States.
I believe in the power of institutions—Congress, public policy, certain ideas about politics—that last for a long time.
Thank Congress, Not LBJ for Great Society | Julian Zelizer, Scott Porch | January 4, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTAt least for now, because few things about this dispute are absolutely certain.
In the Middle East, the Two-State Solution Is Dead | Dean Obeidallah | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd a certain presumed presidential candidate needs to be doing it, too.
The Democrats’ Black Hole—and What They Can Do About It | Michael Tomasky | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOn certain of the stems the fertile cone appears and the spores are ripened about June, after which the process withers.
How to Know the Ferns | S. Leonard BastinThe possibilities of certain branches of teaching have been altogether revolutionized by the cinematograph.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation | H. G. (Herbert George) WellsM'Bongo and his whole court are now clothed, I am happy to say, at least to a certain extent.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsAfter a bit of waiting, Mac decided that the smoke was floating from a certain direction, and we began to edge carefully that way.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairHe has secured the release of certain Spanish prisoners, and is building two ships.
British Dictionary definitions for certain
/ (ˈsɜːtən) /
(postpositive) positive and confident about the truth of something; convinced: I am certain that he wrote a book
(usually postpositive) definitely known: it is certain that they were on the bus
(usually postpositive) sure; bound; destined: he was certain to fail
decided or settled upon; fixed: the date is already certain for the invasion
unfailing; reliable: his judgment is certain
moderate or minimum: to a certain extent
make certain of to ensure (that one will get something); confirm
for certain definitely; without a doubt: he will win for certain
known but not specified or named: certain people may doubt this
(as pronoun; functioning as plural): certain of the members have not paid their subscriptions
named but not known: he had written to a certain Mrs Smith
Origin of certain
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with certain
see for certain.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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