unsure
Americanadjective
-
not certain or confident.
He arrived at the party unsure of his welcome.
-
unknown or liable to change; not determined or definite.
The monthly trend for this stock is still unsure, but the daily trend is upward.
What happened next is unsure.
adjective
-
lacking assurance or self-confidence
-
(usually postpositive) without sure knowledge; uncertain
unsure of her agreement
-
precarious; insecure
-
not certain or reliable
Etymology
Origin of unsure
First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English unseur(e) “unsafe; precarious; uncertain”; un- 1 ( def. ) + sure ( def. )
Explanation
If you're unsure, you don't feel confident. It's natural to feel unsure of yourself the very first time you read your poems in front of an audience. When you feel unsure, you find yourself full of doubt. If you remember how unsure you felt on your first day of school, you may want to befriend that new kid who looks unsure about where to sit in class. You can be unsure of yourself, or unsure how to comfort your friend whose cat just died. When this word was originally used in the 15th century, it primarily meant "not safe from attack."
Vocabulary lists containing unsure
Week 2: Seeking the Answer
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Confused
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Confused
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
He said he and his wife Anne were unsure if they would be pursuing further action against the Treasury, but that they wanted "redress".
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
“I was ready to give up looking for work. It all just made me feel really unsure of myself,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
They are unsure they will see Sugar on their streets again.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
Another factor is President Donald Trump’s nomination on Wednesday afternoon of a new Food and Drug Administration commissioner, which grants some certainty to investors who have been unsure about the future direction of the regulator.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
Dr. Achebe tentatively put his hands on Coal’s shoulders, as if he was trying to soothe him but was unsure of how best to help.
From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste
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.
