certain Meaning & Definition
What Does Certain Mean?
Certain is an adjective that means Sure in one's mind, positive; absolutely confident in the truth of something. It can also mean Not to be doubted or denied; established as a fact. As a determiner, it means Having been determined but not specified. As a pronoun, it means Unnamed or undescribed members (of).
Certain at a Glance
| Part of speech | adjective, determiner, pronoun, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈsɜː.tən// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | reliable, careful and sure |
| Antonyms | uncertain, unsealed and impossible |
| Comparative / superlative | more certain, most certain |
Certain Definition (Adjective)
- Sure in one's mind, positive; absolutely confident in the truth of something.
I was certain of my decision.
- Not to be doubted or denied; established as a fact.
Now that more experiments have been run, the theory is certain and the argument is settled.
- Sure to happen, inevitable; assured.
It is certain that Spain will reach the finals. / Spain is now certain to reach the finals. / Spain is now certain of a place in the finals.
- Unfailing; infallible.
- Fixed; regular; determinate.
at certain intervals
- Particular and definite, but unspecified or unnamed; used to introduce someone or something without going into further detail.
Every wine has a certain distinctive character which sets it apart from all others.
- Used to denote that the speaker is referring to a specific person or thing that they do not want to name directly, implying that the listener should infer the identity of the referent.
I would have been here on time, but a certain someone lost the car keys!
- Named but not previously mentioned.
Looking inside the cover, they learned that the book had once belonged to a certain R. Jones.
- Used before the name of someone famous that people are expected to know.
Since the last British government to make such a proposal was that of a certain Margaret Thatcher, it might not seem unreasonable.
- Determined; resolved.
Certain as a Determiner
- Having been determined but not specified.
Certain people are good at running.
Certain as a Pronoun
- Unnamed or undescribed members (of).
She mentioned a series of contracts, of which certain are not cited.
Certain as a Noun
- (with "the") Something certain.
Adjective
- Sure, positive, not doubting.
I was certain of my decision.
- Actually existing; sure to happen; inevitable.
Bankruptcy is the certain outcome of your constant gambling and lending.
- I have often wished , that I knew so certain a remedy in any other disease
- Fixed or stated; regular; determinate.
- Known but not specifically named; indeterminate; indefinite; one or some; sometimes used independently as a noun, and meaning certain persons; see also "one".
Pronoun
- (with of) Unnamed or undescribed members (of).
There were serious objections to certain of the proposals.
Synonyms of Certain
Antonyms of Certain
Certain in a Sentence
I was certain of my decision.
Now that more experiments have been run, the theory is certain and the argument is settled.
It is certain that Spain will reach the finals. / Spain is now certain to reach the finals. / Spain is now certain of a place in the finals.
Bankruptcy is the certain outcome of your constant gambling and lending.
at certain intervals
Every wine has a certain distinctive character which sets it apart from all others.
Each morning, she would see a certain man rush past her window on his way to work.
I would have been here on time, but a certain someone lost the car keys!
Looking inside the cover, they learned that the book had once belonged to a certain R. Jones.
Since the last British government to make such a proposal was that of a certain Margaret Thatcher, it might not seem unreasonable.
Certain people are good at running.
She mentioned a series of contracts, of which certain are not cited.
There were serious objections to certain of the proposals.
Word Forms & Grammar
certain (comparative more certain or certainer, superlative most certain or certainest)
certain
Words That Rhyme With Certain
Origin of Certain
From Middle English certeyn, certein, certain, borrowed from Old French certain, from a Vulgar Latin unattested form *certānus, extended form of Latin certus (“fixed, resolved, certain”), of the same origin as cretus, past participle of cernere (“to separate, perceive, decide”). Displaced native Middle English wis, iwis (“certain, sure”) (from Old English ġewiss (“certain, sure”)) and alternative Middle English spelling sertane (“some, certain”).
Certain Pronunciation
Certain is pronounced //ˈsɜː.tən// and has 1 syllable.
Quick Answers About Certain
Is certain an adjective or a determiner?
Certain is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a determiner, a pronoun and a noun.
What is another word for certain?
Close synonyms of certain are reliable, careful and sure. See the full list of certain synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of certain?
The opposite of certain can be expressed with words like uncertain, unsealed, impossible and incidental.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of certain?
The comparative form is more certain and the superlative form is most certain.