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

sure

adjective
 
 
/ʃʊə(r)/,
 
/ʃɔː(r)/
 
/ʃʊr/
(comparative surer, superlative surest)
You can also use more sure and most sure, especially in sense 1.Idioms
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  1.  
     [not before noun] confident that you know something or that you are right synonym certain
    • ‘Is that John over there?’ ‘I'm not sure.’
    • You don't sound very sure.
    • sure (that)… I'm pretty sure (that) he'll agree.
    • Are you sure you don't mind?
    • I’m sure he’s still alive.
    • sure of something I hope you are sure of your facts.
    • sure about something Are you sure about that?
    • not sure how, whether, etc… Ask me if you're not sure how to do it.
    • I'm not sure whether I should tell you this.
    • not exactly/entirely/absolutely/really sure
    • I still wasn't even sure who I was talking to.
    • I like this bit, but I'm not so sure about that one.
    opposite unsure
    Extra Examples
    • What makes you so sure she'll come back to you?
    • I'm quite sure (that) I left my bag here.
    • Potts was confident of taking the American title, but less sure about the world championship.
    Topics Personal qualitiesa1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • feel
    • seem
    • …
    adverb
    • absolutely
    • completely
    • quite
    • …
    preposition
    • about
    • of
    See full entry
  2.  
     [not before noun] certain that you will receive something or that something will happen
    • sure of something You're always sure of a warm welcome there.
    • We could not be sure of financial support.
    • sure of doing something England must win this game to be sure of qualifying for the World Cup.
    Synonyms suresureconfident ▪ 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
    Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintyb1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • feel
    • seem
    • …
    adverb
    • absolutely
    • completely
    • quite
    • …
    preposition
    • about
    • of
    See full entry
  3.  
     sure to do something certain to do something or to happen
    • The exhibition is sure to be popular.
    • It's sure to rain.
    • You’re sure to get lost if you don’t keep to the path.
    • She's sure to be picked for the team.
    Synonyms certaincertainbound ▪ 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.
    Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintyb1
  4. [usually before noun] that can be trusted or relied on
    • It's a sure sign of economic recovery.
    • There's only one sure way to do it.
    • He is a sure bet for the presidential nomination (= certain to succeed).
    • I told my friends that our winning was a sure thing.
    Synonyms certaincertainbound ▪ 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.
  5. [usually before noun] steady and confident
    • We admired her sure touch at the keyboard.
    6. Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French sur, from Latin securus ‘free from care’.
Idioms
be sure to do something
  1. used to tell somebody to do something
    • Be sure to give your family my regards.
    • Be sure to check out our website.
    In spoken English and plus another verb can be used instead of to and the infinitive: Be sure and call me tomorrow.
for sure
  1. (informal) without doubt
    • No one knows for sure what happened.
    • I think he'll be back on Monday, but I can't say for sure.
    • One thing is for sure—it's not going to be easy.
    • (North American English) ‘Will you be there?’ ‘For sure.’
a good/safe/sure bet
  1. something that is likely to happen, to succeed or to be suitable
    • He's a good bet to earn a spot on the US team.
    • Clothes are a safe bet as a present for a teenager.
    • The movie looks like a sure bet for Best Film.
    Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintyc2
make sure (of something/that…)
  1.  
     to do something in order to be certain that something else happens
    • Make sure (that) no one finds out about this.
    • They scored another goal and made sure of victory.
    • Our staff will do their best to make sure you enjoy your visit.
    • To make doubly sure they would not be disturbed she turned the key in the lock.
    Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintya2
  2.  
     to check that something is true or has been done
    • She looked around to make sure that she was alone.
    • I think the door's locked, but I'll just go and make sure.
sure of yourself
  1. (sometimes disapproving) very confident
    • She seems very sure of herself.
sure thing
  1. (informal, especially North American English) used to say ‘yes’ to a suggestion or request
    • ‘Are you coming?’ ‘Sure thing.’
    Topics Suggestions and advicec1
to be sure
  1. (formal) used to admit that something is true
    • He is intelligent, to be sure, but he's also very lazy.
See sure in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee sure in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: sure

Nearby words

sufficiently
adverb
 
 
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OPAL written words
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