Certain
Definition
Certain is an adjective used to express confidence in something as true or established, or to indicate something specific but not explicitly named. It also describes a level of assurance in one's knowledge or understanding.
Parts of Speech
- Adjective
Pronunciation
American English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsɜrtən/
- Respelling: SUR-tuhn
British English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsɜːtən/
- Respelling: SUR-tuhn
Etymology
The word "certain" comes from the Old French "certain," meaning "sure or assured," and from the Latin "certus," which means "settled" or "determined." It entered English in the Middle Ages and has retained its meaning of assuredness and specificity.
Derivatives
- Certainty (noun)
- Certainly (adverb)
- Uncertain (adjective)
- Certitude (noun)
- Ascertain (verb)
Synonyms
- Definite
- Confident
- Sure
Antonyms
- Uncertain
- Doubtful
- Questionable
Usage
The adjective "certain" is often used to express assurance, such as "She was certain of her decision." It is also used to denote a specific but unnamed item or quality, as in "Certain aspects of the plan need revision."
Related Terms
- Confidence: A feeling of assurance or trust.
- Sure: A similar term used to indicate certainty.
- Determined: Showing firmness or certainty in purpose.
Detailed Definitions
Adjective
- Known for sure or established as true: Refers to a state of being confident or assured of something.
- Example: "She was certain that she had locked the door."
- Specific but unnamed: Used to describe something particular without specifying it explicitly.
- Example: "There are certain risks involved in this business."
- Unwavering or resolute: Describes a strong conviction or assurance in one’s belief or decision.
- Example: "He is certain of his skills."
certain
I am certain that I will succeed.
He was certain her keys were left on the table.
It's certain that practice improves skills.
🇨🇳 Mandarin (Chinese)
- 肯定的
- IPA Pronunciation: /kʰən˧˥ tɪŋ˧˥ dɤ˩˧˥/
- Respelling in English: kěndìng de
- 某
- IPA Pronunciation: /mou˨˩/
- Respelling in English: mǒu
🇮🇳 Hindi
- निश्चित
- IPA Pronunciation: /nɪʃtʃɪt/
- Respelling in English: nishchit
- कुछ
- IPA Pronunciation: /kʊʧ/
- Respelling in English: kuch
🇪🇸 Spanish
- Seguro
- IPA Pronunciation: /seˈɣuro/
- Respelling in English: seguro
- Ciertos
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsjertos/
- Respelling in English: ciertos
🇫🇷 French
- Certain
- IPA Pronunciation: /sɛʁ.tɛ̃/
- Respelling in English: sertain
- Quelques
- IPA Pronunciation: /kɛlk/
- Respelling in English: kelk
🇸🇦 Modern Standard Arabic
- مُؤكد
- IPA Pronunciation: /muːʔakˈkid/
- Respelling in English: mu'akkid
- بعض
- IPA Pronunciation: /baʕð̩/
- Respelling in English: ba'dh
🇧🇩 Bengali
- নিশ্চিত
- IPA Pronunciation: /niʃtʃit/
- Respelling in English: nishchit
- কিছু
- IPA Pronunciation: /kitʃʰu/
- Respelling in English: kichhu
🇷🇺 Russian
- Уверенный
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʊˈvjɪrɪnɨj/
- Respelling in English: uverenny
- Некоторый
- IPA Pronunciation: /nʲɪkɐˈtorɨj/
- Respelling in English: nekotory
🇵🇹 Portuguese
- Certo
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsɛrtu/
- Respelling in English: sertu
- Alguns
- IPA Pronunciation: /aɫˈɡũʃ/
- Respelling in English: algunsh
🇮🇩 Indonesian
- Pasti
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈpasti/
- Respelling in English: pasti
- Beberapa
- IPA Pronunciation: /bəˈbərapa/
- Respelling in English: beberapa
🇩🇪 German
- Sicher
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈzɪçɐ/
- Respelling in English: zicher
- Einige
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈaɪnɪɡə/
- Respelling in English: einige
🇯🇵 Japanese
- 確かな
- IPA Pronunciation: /taʃika na/
- Respelling in English: tashika na
- ある
- IPA Pronunciation: /aru/
- Respelling in English: aru
🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- Chắc chắn
- IPA Pronunciation: /cak˨˩ can˨˩/
- Respelling in English: chắc chắn
- Một số
- IPA Pronunciation: /məːt̚˦ˀ˥ so˧/
- Respelling in English: một số
🇰🇷 Korean
- 확실한
- IPA Pronunciation: /hwak.sil.han/
- Respelling in English: hwaksilhan
- 어떤
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʌ.t͈ʌn/
- Respelling in English: eotteon
🇹🇷 Turkish
- Kesin
- IPA Pronunciation: /keˈsin/
- Respelling in English: kesin
- Bazı
- IPA Pronunciation: /baˈzɯ/
- Respelling in English: bazı
🇵🇰 Urdu
- یقینی
- IPA Pronunciation: /jaːˈqɪn.iː/
- Respelling in English: yaqīnī
- کچھ
- IPA Pronunciation: /kʊʧ/
- Respelling in English: kuch
