certainty

American  

[sur-tn-tee] / ˈsɜr tn ti /

noun

plural

certainties

1. the state of being certain.

   Synonyms:

   confidence, assurance, certitude

2. something certain; an assured fact.

   Synonyms:

   truth

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idioms

1. for / of a certainty, certainly; without a doubt.

   I suspect it, but I don't know it for a certainty.

certainty British  

/ ˈsɜːtəntɪ /

noun

1. the condition of being certain

2. something established as certain or inevitable

3. without doubt

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Related Words

See belief.

Other Word Forms

• noncertainty noun

Etymology

Origin of certainty

1250–1300; Middle English certeinte < Anglo-French, equivalent to certein certain + -te -ty ²

Example Sentences

However, such a judgement is difficult to make with any certainty.

From BBC

But there is no certainty what he wants for the club will come to fruition.

From BBC

When researchers compared exercise with antidepressant medication, they found similar benefits, although the certainty of that evidence was lower.

From Science Daily

Pentagon official Michael Duffey says the arrangement will offer “an unwavering, long-term demand signal” from government, which gives companies the certainty they need to invest capital.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The questions that they have to deal with is how can they give us certainty that they will close,” he adds.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• confidence
• inevitability
• trust