- 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.
- 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.
- 4
Unfailing; infallible.
- I have often wished, that I knew so certain a remedy in any other disease
- 5
Fixed; regular; determinate.
- at certain intervals
- 6
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.
- Each morning, she would see a certain man rush past her window on his way to work.
- 7
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.euphemistic
- I would have been here on time, but a certain someone lost the car keys!
- 8
Named but not previously mentioned.
- Looking inside the cover, they learned that the book had once belonged to a certain R. Jones.
- 9
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.
- 10
Determined; resolved.obsolete
- However I with thee have fixt my Lot, Certain to undergoe like doom[…]
syn. assured · certain · clear · confident · definite · doubtless · positive · sicker · sure · unambiguous · unequivocal · univocal
ant. uncertain · impossible · incidental · particular specific