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
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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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:
However, recent declines in Malaysian glove stocks and the continuing geopolitical uncertainty have helped balance the sector’s risk-reward profile.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
"I recognize the fear and uncertainty that an incident of this magnitude has brought upon our city."
From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026
A functional democracy requires its chief law enforcement officials to act as stabilizing forces during moments of national shock or uncertainty.
From Salon ● Jul. 13, 2026
Those have injected a level of uncertainty for corporate managements pondering whether to spend money on expansion that they haven’t had to confront in years.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
The schizophrenia medicines had altered his body and he walked with the uncertainty and imbalance of a child.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
This in turn gives us an idea of the uncertainties and likelihood of any specific forecast temperature rather than relying on one particular outcome.
From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026
“Putting money aside to protect ourselves from future uncertainties isn’t just good government; it’s common sense,” Newsom said in a statement.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026
A deal between the U.S. and Iran has caused relief for markets, with oil prices falling, but uncertainties remain.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026
Geopolitical and economic uncertainties have many investors on edge, and price/earnings ratios for U.S. market leaders are at historic highs.
From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026
Teller continually disturbed the peace at Los Alamos, where uncertainties about the lab’s role in postwar research already had the staff on edge.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
