uncertainty
Americannoun
plural
uncertainties-
the state of being uncertain; doubt; hesitancy.
His uncertainty gave impetus to his inquiry.
- Synonyms:
- ambivalence, indecision, irresolution, hesitation
-
an instance of uncertainty, doubt, etc.
-
unpredictability; indeterminacy; indefiniteness.
noun
-
Also called: uncertainness. the state or condition of being uncertain
-
an uncertain matter, contingency, etc
Etymology
Origin of uncertainty
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English uncerteynte; equivalent to un- 1 + certainty
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.
Morton arrived at Lyon at a time of significant uncertainty.
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026
At the very least, the uncertainty will add to the volatility of the incoming labor data.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
During the show on Thursday, Hays said that over the past few years, “there’s been so much uncertainty about AI … but there’s also a lot of fear.”
From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026
The uncertainty dented the lenders’ shares, with those of Blue Owl down 43% and Ares Management 37% lower year-to-date.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026
Concern about the future was rooted not only in seasonal cycles of production, but also in the fundamental uncertainty of agriculture.
From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari
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.
