sure
free from doubt as to the reliability, character, action, etc., of something: to be sure of one's data.
confident, as of something expected: sure of success.
convinced, fully persuaded, or positive: to be sure of a person's guilt.
assured or certain beyond question: a sure victory.
worthy of confidence; reliable; stable: a sure messenger.
unfailing; never disappointing expectations: a sure cure.
unerring; never missing, slipping, etc.: a sure aim.
admitting of no doubt or question: sure proof.
destined; bound inevitably; certain: sure death.
Obsolete. secure; safe.
be sure, to take care (to be or do as specified); be certain: Be sure to close the windows.
Informal. certainly; surely: It sure is cold out. Sure, I'll come.
Idioms about sure
for sure, as a certainty; surely: It's going to be a good day, for sure.
make sure, to be or become absolutely certain: I'm calling to make sure that you remember to come.
sure enough, Informal. as might have been supposed; actually; certainly: Sure enough, the picnic was rained out.
to be sure,
without doubt; surely; certainly.
admittedly: She sings well, to be sure, but she can't act.
Origin of sure
1confusables note For sure
Other words from sure
- sureness, noun
- o·ver·sure, adjective
- o·ver·sure·ly, adverb
- o·ver·sure·ness, noun
- un·sure, adjective
- un·sure·ly, adverb
- un·sure·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use sure in a sentence
The Descendants (which scored six nominations) was a surer thing, but it, too, has been divisive.
Oscar Nominations 2012: 11 Snubs and Surprises | Jacob Bernstein | January 24, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTShe felt surer, earlier in life than many in her demographic, that the marriage stakes were high enough to merit risking all.
Yet Powell now sounds much surer of herself than the lost woman whom we find in the early pages of Cleaving.
This bone-chilling week, they are perhaps just a surer way to avoid frostbite.
Ain't no surer sign o' poor soil than a passel o' mullein stalks.
Dorothy at Skyrie | Evelyn Raymond
There is no surer mark of vulgarity than over dressing or gay dressing in the street.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence HartleyJustice is surer and swifter in England, and as a consequence crime averages less than in most parts of the States.
British Highways And Byways From A Motor Car | Thomas D. MurphyIt would be convenient to feel a little surer just now, for evidently I shall need it all very soon.
The Daughters of Danaus | Mona CairdIt is a fact, not perhaps complimentary, that paper tablets are surer than the tablets of memory.
English: Composition and Literature | W. F. (William Franklin) Webster
British Dictionary definitions for sure
/ (ʃʊə, ʃɔː) /
(sometimes foll by of) free from hesitancy or uncertainty (with regard to a belief, conviction, etc): we are sure of the accuracy of the data; I am sure that he is lying
(foll by of) having no doubt, as of the occurrence of a future state or event: sure of success
always effective; unfailing: a sure remedy
reliable in indication or accuracy: a sure criterion
(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence: a sure friend
not open to doubt: sure proof
admitting of no vacillation or doubt: he is very sure in his beliefs
bound to be or occur; inevitable: victory is sure
(postpositive) bound inevitably (to be or do something); certain: she is sure to be there tonight
physically secure or dependable: a sure footing
obsolete free from exposure to harm or danger
be sure (usually imperative or dependent imperative; takes a clause as object or an infinitive, sometimes with to replaced by and) to be careful or certain: be sure and shut the door; I told him to be sure to shut the door
for sure without a doubt; surely
make sure
(takes a clause as object) to make certain; ensure
(foll by of) to establish or confirm power or possession (over)
sure enough informal as might have been confidently expected; definitely: often used as a sentence substitute
to be sure
without doubt; certainly
it has to be acknowledged; admittedly
(sentence substitute) informal willingly; yes
(sentence modifier) informal, mainly US and Canadian without question; certainly
Origin of sure
1Derived forms of sure
- sureness, noun
Collins 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 sure
In addition to the idioms beginning with sure
- sure as shooting
- sure cure
- sure enough
- sure of oneself
- sure thing
also see:
- for certain (sure)
- make sure
- slow but sure
- to be sure
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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