adverb

for sure

fer SHOOR

Quiz me More like this

For sure (adverb) means Without any doubt; certainly. Example: “I can't say for sure whether the shop is open on Sundays.”

adverb

informal Without any doubt; certainly.

"I can't say for sure whether the shop is open on Sundays."

"One thing is for sure — we're not driving there again."

interjection

informal Used on its own to agree with someone or accept a request.

""Can you send it over tonight?" "For sure.""

""That was the best gig of the year." "For sure.""

How to use for sure

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething you say when you are certain, or to say yes.

When to use it

Conversational. As an interjection it is especially common in North American and Australian speech; formal writing uses certainly or with certainty instead.

Memory tip

"That's for sure" at the end of a sentence adds emphatic agreement with what has just been said.

Easily confused with

surely → sure enough for certain

Common pairings

know for sure one thing's for sure that's for sure can't say for sure

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like for sure.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “for sure” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

I can't say _____ whether the shop is open on Sundays.

Synonyms

View more →

definitely certainly without a doubt undoubtedly absolutely of course sure thing no problem

Antonyms

maybe possibly

Related words

very yes actually maybe probably fucking quite dead

Rhymes for for sure

pure cure sure azure nature future manure secure impure injure figure allure

See all rhymes for for sure →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between for sure and surely?

For sure means with certainty and usually attaches to knowing or saying — "I don't know for sure". Surely expresses the speaker's expectation or appeal for agreement — "surely he told you?" — and in American English can also mean certainly.

Is "for sure" too casual for work emails?

As a one-word yes it is fine among colleagues but reads as offhand to clients or senior staff. Certainly, of course, or a plain confirmation of what you will do is safer in external correspondence.

What is the meaning of for sure?

"for sure" (adverb) means without any doubt; certainly.

What is another word for for sure?

Other words for "for sure" include definitely, certainly, without a doubt, undoubtedly, absolutely, of course.

People also searched

very yes actually maybe probably fucking quite dead