certitude
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of certitude
1375–1425; late Middle English < Late Latin certitūdō, equivalent to Latin certi- (combining form of certus sure; see certain) + -tūdō -tude
Explanation
If you're absolutely convinced your team is going to the Super Bowl, you state it with certitude or confidence. Your team didn't make it? Oh dear, you were guilty of certitude — an absolute conviction that the outcome of the game did not support. In other words, you were a tad cocky. Certitude is very similar to certainty, and often used interchangeably, but there's a hint of danger about certitude; someone who displays it may well be overconfident. Certainty is more certain.
Vocabulary lists containing certitude
The Call of the Wild
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Novel Study: Fahrenheit 451, Part II
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Dover Beach" by Matthew Arnold
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But we live in an era when instantaneous certitude about everything, an iron conviction in subjective judgment in the face of objective uncertainty, is the only guarantee of a hearing.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
The arrogant certitude with which he announces his conclusions certainly suggests that he has embraced a posture of infallibility that leaves no room for good-faith disagreement.
From Slate • Jul. 10, 2025
America, you’re a big, boisterous nation of more than 342 million people, with all sorts of competing impulses and interests, and no end of certitude to go around.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 4, 2025
He’s never had a role quite like Lee, which allows him to approach the world with far less certitude than a James Bond or Benoit Blanc.
From Salon • Nov. 27, 2024
But his tone lacked the certitude she was used to.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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.
