sure

[ shoor, shur ]

adjective

, sur·er, sur·est.

1. free from doubt as to the reliability, character, action, etc., of something:

   to be sure of one's data.

2. confident, as of something expected:

   sure of success.

3. convinced, fully persuaded, or positive:

   to be sure of a person's guilt.

4. assured or certain beyond question:

   a sure victory.

5. worthy of confidence; reliable; stable:

   a sure messenger.

6. unfailing; never disappointing expectations:

   a sure cure.

7. unerring; never missing, slipping, etc.:

   a sure aim.

8. admitting of no doubt or question:

   sure proof.

9. destined; bound inevitably; certain:

   sure death.

10. Obsolete. secure; safe.
11. be sure, to take care (to be or do as specified); be certain:

    Be sure to close the windows.

adverb

1. Informal. certainly; surely:

   It sure is cold out. Sure, I'll come.

sure

/ ʃɔː; ʃʊə /

adjective

1. sometimes foll by of free from hesitancy or uncertainty (with regard to a belief, conviction, etc)

   I am sure that he is lying

   we are sure of the accuracy of the data

2. foll by of having no doubt, as of the occurrence of a future state or event

   sure of success

3. always effective; unfailing

   a sure remedy

4. reliable in indication or accuracy

   a sure criterion

5. (of persons) worthy of trust or confidence

   a sure friend

6. not open to doubt

   sure proof

7. admitting of no vacillation or doubt

   he is very sure in his beliefs

8. bound to be or occur; inevitable

   victory is sure

9. postpositive bound inevitably (to be or do something); certain

   she is sure to be there tonight

10. physically secure or dependable

    a sure footing

11. obsolete.
    free from exposure to harm or danger
12. be sure
    be sure usually imperative or dependent imperative; takes a clause as object or an infinitive, sometimes with to replaced by and to be careful or certain

    I told him to be sure to shut the door

    be sure and shut the door

13. for sure
    for sure without a doubt; surely
14. make sure
    make sure
    1. takes a clause as object to make certain; ensure
    2. foll by of to establish or confirm power or possession (over)
15. sure enough informal.
    sure enough as might have been confidently expected; definitely: often used as a sentence substitute
16. to be sure
    to be sure
    1. without doubt; certainly
    2. it has to be acknowledged; admittedly

adverb

1. informal.
   sentence substitute willingly; yes
2. informal.
   sentence modifier without question; certainly

Confusables Note

Both sure and surely are used as intensifying adverbs with the sense “undoubtedly, certainly.” In this use, sure is generally informal and occurs mainly in speech and written representations of speech: She sure dazzled the audience with her acceptance speech. It was sure hot enough in the auditorium. Surely is used in this sense in all varieties of speech and writing, even the most formal: The court ruled that the law was surely meant to apply to both profit-making and nonprofit organizations. quick, slow.

Derived Forms

• ˈsureness, noun

Other Words From

• sureness noun
• over·sure adjective
• over·surely adverb
• over·sureness noun
• un·sure adjective
• un·surely adverb
• un·sureness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sure¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English sur(e), from Middle French sur, Old French seur, from Latin sēcūrus “carefree”; secure

Word History and Origins

Origin of sure¹

C14: from Old French seur, from Latin sēcūrus secure

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. for sure, as a certainty; surely:

   It's going to be a good day, for sure.

2. make sure, to be or become absolutely certain:

   I'm calling to make sure that you remember to come.

3. sure enough, Informal. as might have been supposed; actually; certainly:

   Sure enough, the picnic was rained out.

4. to be sure,
   1. without doubt; surely; certainly.
   2. admittedly:

      She sings well, to be sure, but she can't act.

More idioms and phrases containing sure

• for certain (sure)
• make sure
• slow but sure
• to be sure

Example Sentences

I’m 98 percent sure I saw him at my local Seattle post office over the holidays.

From Outside Online

As an SEO professional, we’re sure that there’s one word you’ve heard and used often, and that is, “keywords”.

From Search Engine Watch

It’s his life and his job on the line, and I want to make sure that I’m protecting his values and everything that he’s doing.

From Washington Post

Also be sure to let friends who haunt garage and estate sales know that you’re on the lookout.

From Washington Post

If you enjoy hiking, I’m sure there’s someone else on this list for you.

From Washington Blade

“They sure took the Sony thing seriously,” Attkisson said dryly.

From The Daily Beast

And it must make sure that the platform of debate where we can freely exchange ideas is safe and sound.

From The Daily Beast

Our duty is to make sure that they realize that the Prophet is not avenged.

From The Daily Beast

I like the idea of Jon Hamm… There have been discussions—though I'm not sure how serious they've been.

From The Daily Beast

“He has to really stay on the down low, he has to make sure that he blends in,” Ney told the Beast.

From The Daily Beast

When a man converses with himself, he is sure that he does not converse with an enemy.

From Project Gutenberg

I am therefore quite sure I shall be content to await his father's consent, should it not come these many years.

From Project Gutenberg

And sure enough when Sunday came, and the pencil was restored to him, he promptly showed nurse his picture.

From Project Gutenberg

He had seen the act committed, he felt sure but had made no effort whatever to stop the thief.

From Project Gutenberg

Gold and silver make the feet stand sure: but wise counsel is above them both.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assured
• certain
• confident
• decisive
• positive

When To Use

What are other ways to say sure?

Someone who is sure of something is free from doubt about its reliability or character. How does sure compare to synonyms certain, confident, or positive? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.