Definition of certain adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

certain

adjective

OPAL W OPAL S

/ˈsɜːtn/

/ˈsɜːrtn/

Idioms

jump to other results

strongly believing something; having no doubts
- I think it was him, but I can't be certain.
- certain (that)… She wasn’t certain (that) he had seen her.
- I'm certain we'll think of something.
- certain about something Are you absolutely certain about this?
- certain of something I am not certain of the precise date.
- certain who/where, etc… I'm not certain who was there.
Extra Examples
- To my certain knowledge he was somewhere else at the time (= I am sure about it).
- I grew more and more certain that she was lying to me.
- He wasn't certain who he'd given the papers to.
- You have to be quite certain of the facts before making a decision.
Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintya2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
verbs
- be
- feel
- look
- …
adverb
- very
- absolutely
- quite
- …
preposition
- about
- of
phrases
- can’t say for certain
- not know for certain
See full entry
Want to learn more?

Find out which words work together and produce more natural sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app.
that you can rely on to happen or to be true
- The climbers face certain death if the rescue today is unsuccessful.
- it is certain (that)… It is certain that they will agree.
- It was not certain that the bones were even human.
- certain to do something She looks certain to win an Oscar.
- He seemed certain to be defeated in the election.
- The death toll was almost certain to rise.
- They are certain to agree.
- One thing is certain—it will be exciting.
- certain of something/of doing something If you want to be certain of getting a ticket, book now.
Synonyms certain
certainbound ▪ sure ▪ definite ▪ guaranteedThese are all words describing something that will definitely happen or is definitely true.
certain that you can rely on to happen or be true:
It’s certain that they will agree.
They are certain to agree.
bound [not before noun] certain to happen, or to do or be something. Bound is only used in the phrase bound to do/be, etc.: You’ve done so much work—you’re bound to pass the exam. • There are bound to be changes when the new system is introduced. sure certain to happen or be true; that can be trusted or relied on:
She’s sure to be picked for the team.
It’s sure to rain.
definite (rather informal) certain to happen; that is not going to change:
Is it definite that he’s leaving?
guaranteed certain to have a particular result:
That kind of behaviour is guaranteed to make him angry.
Patterns
- certain/sure of something
- certain/bound/sure/guaranteed to do something
- certain/definite that…
- I couldn’t say for certain/sure/definite.
Synonyms sure
sureconfident ▪ convinced ▪ certain ▪ positive ▪ clearThese words all describe somebody who knows without doubt that something is true or will happen.
sure [not before noun] without any doubt that you are right, that something is true, that you will get something or that something will happen:
‘Is that John over there?’ ‘I’m not sure.’
Are you sure about that?
England must win this game to be sure of qualifying.
Sure is often used in negative statements and questions, because there is some doubt or worry over the matter. If there is no doubt, people often say quite sure: I’m quite sure (that) I left my bag here (= I have no doubt about it). confident completely sure that something will happen in the way that you want or expect:
I’m quite confident that you’ll get the job.
The team feels confident of winning.
Confident is a stronger and more definite word than sure and is more often used in positive statements, when you feel no worry.convinced [not before noun] completely sure that something is true or right, especially because the evidence seems to prove it or somebody else has persuaded you to believe it:
I’m convinced that she’s innocent.
certain [not usually before noun] sure that you are right or that something is true:
Are you absolutely certain about this?
sure or certain?Like sure, certain is often used in negative statements and questions. It is slightly more formal than sure; sure is more frequent, especially in spoken English.
positive [not before noun] (rather informal) completely sure that something is true:
She was positive that he’d been there.
‘Are you sure?’ ‘Positive.’
clear (often used in negative statements and questions) having no doubt or confusion about something:
My memory isn’t really clear on that point.
Patterns
- sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive/clear about something
- sure/confident/convinced/certain of something
- sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive/clear that…
- sure/certain/clear who/what/how, etc.
- to feel sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive
- quite/absolutely/completely/fairly/pretty sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive/clear
- not altogether sure/confident/convinced/certain/clear
Extra Examples
- Digby looked certain to be the next president.
- It's by no means certain that she'll get the job.
- If you want to be certain of getting into the concert, buy your ticket now.
Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintya2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
verbs
- be
- feel
- look
- …
adverb
- very
- absolutely
- quite
- …
preposition
- about
- of
phrases
- can’t say for certain
- not know for certain
See full entry
used to mention a particular thing, person or group without giving any more details about it or them
- For certain personal reasons I shall not be able to attend.
- Certain people might disagree with this.
- This car appeals to a certain type of driver.
- You can choose to watch only certain kinds of movies.
- They refused to release their hostages unless certain conditions were met.
- The president can under certain circumstances dissolve parliament.
slight; easy to notice, but difficult to describe
- That's true, to a certain extent.
- I experienced a certain amount of relief.
- I felt there was a certain coldness in her manner.
(formal) used with a person’s name to show that the speaker does not know the person
- It was a certain Dr Davis who performed the operation.

Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French, based on Latin certus ‘settled, sure’.

Idioms

for certain

without doubt
- I can't say for certain when we'll arrive.
Extra Examples
- We don't know for certain how many people are coming.
- I think she's a teacher, but I couldn't say for certain.
- He couldn't say for certain whether she would be there.

Express Yourself Expressing certainty or uncertaintyExpressing certainty or uncertaintyWhen you are stating what has happened or is going to happen, you can say how certain or uncertain you are about what you are saying:

- I'm sure there's nothing to worry about.
- I'm 100% certain that's what happened.
- I'm absolutely positive I left my keys on the table.
- There's no doubt in my mind that this is the best option.
- Without doubt, she's our best player.
- There's no question that the government could have done more.
- I'm not (at all) sure what time they arrive, to be honest.
- I rather doubt they'll call back.
(British English)

make certain (that…)

to find out whether something is definitely true
- I think there's a bus at 8 but you'd better call to make certain.
- Make certain that you lock the door if you go out.

make certain of something/of doing something

to do something in order to be sure that something else will happen
- You'll have to leave soon to make certain of getting there on time.
Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintyc1

of a certain age

if you talk about a person being of a certain age, you mean that they are no longer young but not yet old
- The show appeals to an audience of a certain age.

See certain in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee certain in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English

Check pronunciation: certain

Other results

All matches

Idioms

Nearby words

dizzy

adjective

From the Topic

Health problems

Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day