certainty
SURTN-tee
Certainty (noun) means the state of being completely sure about something. Example: “He spoke with total certainty about the results.”
noun
1
The state of being completely sure about something.
"He spoke with total certainty about the results."
2
Something that is sure to happen or definitely true.
"With such dark clouds, rain was a certainty by the afternoon."
"It's almost a certainty that the shop will be busy on Saturday."
"Death and taxes are often called life's only certainties."
How to use certainty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTotal confidence that something is true, or a fact/outcome that is beyond doubt.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
with certainty
a degree of certainty
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Word forms
- Plural
- certainties
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He spoke with total _____ about the results.
Etymology
Came into English from Middle English certeynte (“surety”), which derived from Anglo-Norman certeinte, itself from Old French certeinete, from Vulgar Latin *certānitās, ultimately from Latin certus.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for certainty
See all rhymes for certainty →Frequently asked questions
What does “certainty” mean?
The word “certainty” means the state of being completely sure about something. In plain terms, total confidence that something is true, or a fact/outcome that is beyond doubt.
How do you pronounce “certainty”?
“Certainty” is pronounced SURTN-tee (/ˈsɝtn̩ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “certainty” in a sentence?
Here is “certainty” used in a sentence: “He spoke with total certainty about the results.”
What part of speech is “certainty”?
“Certainty” is a noun.
Is “certainty” a common word?
“Certainty” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “certainty” have?
“Certainty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of being completely sure about something.
What is the difference between certainty and certitude?
Certainty describes the objective state of being sure about something or a fact that is definitely true. Certitude leans more toward a strong personal feeling of conviction, which may or may not match objective fact.
What is the difference between certainty and probability?
Certainty means something is sure to happen or definitely true, with no doubt involved. Probability describes a degree of likelihood that falls short of certainty.
How is certainty different from the adjective certain?
Certainty is the noun naming the state or quality of being sure, as in 'speak with certainty.' Certain is the adjective used to describe a person, fact, or outcome, as in 'she is certain.'
