uncertainty
Americannoun
plural
uncertainties-
the state of being uncertain; doubt; hesitancy.
His uncertainty gave impetus to his inquiry.
- Synonyms:
- ambivalence, indecision, irresolution, hesitation
-
an instance of uncertainty, doubt, etc.
-
unpredictability; indeterminacy; indefiniteness.
noun
-
Also called: uncertainness. the state or condition of being uncertain
-
an uncertain matter, contingency, etc
Etymology
Origin of uncertainty
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English uncerteynte; equivalent to un- 1 + certainty
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.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite index has dropped 5.9% in 2026, partly due to uncertainty from the Iran war.
From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026
The 55-year-old remains under contract until June 2027, but uncertainty surrounds what comes next.
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026
The private-equity industry’s fundraising slump continued in the first quarter amid turmoil in the private-credit and software markets and uncertainty over the war in Iran.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
During the show on Thursday, Hays said that over the past few years, “there’s been so much uncertainty about AI … but there’s also a lot of fear.”
From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026
She needs you to translate it, he argued back with himself, but within the words there was a hint of uncertainty.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
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.
