uncertainty
Americannoun
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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
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
"A Job for Valentin" and "In the Heart of a Hero"
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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.
Jodie Muller, chief executive of the Western States Petroleum Assn., said the update provides some near-term relief for refineries, but leaves too much uncertainty after 2030 to drive continued investment.
From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026
There is still some uncertainty as the health ministry has said it will introduce a new testing system next year to license tattooists and standardise the profession.
From BBC • May 29, 2026
Best Buy, meanwhile, stoked the uncertainty further when it announced in April that CEO Corie Barry would step down Oct.
From Barron's • May 28, 2026
Brendan Bussmann, managing partner of consulting firm B Global, said the Caesars deal was an opportunity for Fertitta despite heightened uncertainty in the sector.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
To limit this uncertainty, the people I’d worked with at Salomon Brothers, who created the mortgage bond market, had come up with a clever solution.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
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.
