certain

Forms

Comparative: more certain
Superlative: most certain

Definitions

Adjective
A word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun.

1.Sure in one's mind, positive; absolutely confident in the truth of something.
- I was certain of my decision.
2.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.
3.Sure to happen, inevitable; assured.
- Bankruptcy is the certain outcome of your constant gambling and lending.
- 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.
4.Unfailing; infallible.

Determiner
A word placed before a noun to show which person or thing is meant, or how much or how many.

1.Having been determined but not specified.
- Certain people are good at running.
- One saint's day in mid-term a certain newly-appointed suffragan-bishop came to the school chapel, and there preached on “The Inner Life.”

Pronoun
A word that replaces or refers to a noun or noun phrase.

1.Unnamed or undescribed members (of).
- She mentioned a series of contracts, of which certain are not cited.

Frequency

Overall

Common· #630

By learning goal

Everyday conversation: Uncommon
General reading & writing: Common
Academic: Uncommon
Literature: Rare

Related words

Synonyms

sure

Word family

certainly

Etymology

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”).

AdjectiveAdjective×A word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun.

DetDeterminer×A word placed before a noun to show which person or thing is meant, or how much or how many.

PronPronoun×A word that replaces or refers to a noun or noun phrase.