uncertainty
Americannoun
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uncertainties
plural
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the state of being uncertain; doubt; hesitancy.
His uncertainty gave impetus to his inquiry.
- Synonyms:
- ambivalence, indecision, irresolution, hesitation
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an instance of uncertainty, doubt, etc.
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unpredictability; indeterminacy; indefiniteness.
noun
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Also called: uncertainness. the state or condition of being uncertain
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an uncertain matter, contingency, etc
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of uncertainty
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English uncerteynte; equivalent to un- 1 + certainty
Explanation
When you have uncertainty, that means you're not really sure. If you missed a lot of classes and didn't study much, you may have uncertainty about whether you passed your big math test. The noun uncertainty describes a state of doubt. You might view with uncertainty a claim that a $100 investment will return $500 by next month. Uncertainty can also involve being dependent on chance. Your uncle might have uncertainty that he'll have a job next year because his company might be closing one of its branch offices.
Vocabulary lists containing uncertainty
un-
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un-
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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.
See Examples For:
For some of their impending free agents, who spoke highly of the organization, that meant uncertainty in the immediate aftermath.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
Given the uncertainty surrounding your diagnosis, it’s smart to regularly evaluate your financial security.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
Exports from the EU to the U.S. rose 18.5% despite continued tariff uncertainty.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
After 21 months of uncertainty, we're delighted to have secured the future of the cinema, and we couldn't have done it without the support, commitment and belief of many, many people.
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
I was vulnerable, I’ll admit, swimming in the uncertainty of what was going on with Malia.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
“There are substantial uncertainties associated with this forecast,” Fratantoni said.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026
India's economy is growing at an enviable rate of over 7% despite global energy shocks, rising interest rates, tariff uncertainties and weather-related disruptions.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026
Nobody knows, so managing the U.S.-China relationship must take place under the shadow of important uncertainties.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
Due to the uncertainties, the politicians make no specific declaration.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026
In spite of the tensions and uncertainties of this period something profoundly meaningful is taking place.
From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
