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
"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.
See Examples For:
“Budget uncertainty will also start to creep in later this year, we think, impacting investment,” they added.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
LAX’s long-awaited Skylink train is 99% complete yet faces mounting uncertainty, as bond ratings sink into junk territory and looming 2026 deadlines raise the specter of default and termination.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
Homeowners will be offered compensation payments but some of those who attended the meetings told BBC Scotland News there was uncertainty about how much they would receive.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
"There's always uncertainty when you are deploying something where real people, materials, and physical costs are involved," said Doppa.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 27, 2026
His voice was dreamy, quiet, but I was filled with uncertainty; in the winters where I lived it did not even snow.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Despite those uncertainties, the researchers suggest: "Collectively, our findings provide robust evidence supporting a gut-muscle axis in which R inulinivorans positively modulates muscle metabolism and muscle strength."
From Science Daily ● Aug. 22, 2026
In that context, he has decided to commit to Williams and trust that the changes Vowles has made following this year's difficulties will work rather than risk the uncertainties of another option.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
While early journal entries chronicle profound uncertainties regarding viral origins and transmission dynamics, public mandates were treated as absolute, unquestionable truths.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
“Employees of both Paramount and WBD are also harmed by the uncertainties caused by the delay.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
For all his uncertainties, Daniel is still more comfortable in his skin than Charlie will ever be in his.
From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon
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.
