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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"A Job for Valentin" and "In the Heart of a Hero"
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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
But he said he was pleasantly surprised at how well many countries have weathered recent geopolitical uncertainty.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
He cautioned, however, that the path forward was still laced with uncertainty about how markets would evolve around the technology.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
The precise length of the Appalachian Trail is a matter of interesting uncertainty.
From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson
The public listing comes at a time when the AI industry is facing a combination of uncertainties.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 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
"Because a never-ending waterfall of legal claims and uncertainties for another four or five years would be absolutely appalling for the game."
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026
It also noted that similar uncertainties can arise during baking or frying at home, where temperatures, cooking times, and amounts vary.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026
I had come to accept such uncertainties with a quiet heart.
From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin
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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.
