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adverb

for sure

fer SHOOR

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

adverb
1
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
1
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
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Can you complete this real example?

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

Related words

Rhymes for for sure

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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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial