First recorded in 1590–1600
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To be sure, launch cadence has been on investors’ minds lately.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
To be sure, Europe is self-sufficient in many weapons systems.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
Welker said: "To be fair, I'm not crooked. But let's continue."
From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026
To be an efficient cushion for countries and companies, however, stockpiles need to be at “Goldilocks” levels: not too much, not too little.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026
To be here on Sagan with my family?
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
