uncertaintyun‧cer‧tain‧ty /ʌnˈsɜːtnti $ -ˈsɜːr-/ ●●○ noun (plural uncertainties) 
Times of great change are also times of uncertainty.uncertainty about/as to There is a great deal of uncertainty about the company’s future.2[countable usually plural] a situation which you are not sure about because you do not know what will happen: life’s uncertaintiesuncertainty of the uncertainties of old age
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Life is full of uncertainties and problems.
- There is a great deal of uncertainty about the future of the company.
- But the inmates could know nothing of the future, only the uncertainty of their terrible present.
- Did his supportive family have to withstand the same uncertainty?
- Fourth, the elimination of exchange rate uncertainty is likely to yield benefits in terms of higher growth rates of intra-union trade and investment.
- Future trends in marital status Future trends in marital status are subject to some uncertainty.
- In such a climate of unbalance, of moral uncertainty there is bound to come a period of esthetic drought.
- Main reasons seem to be persistent low profitability among farmers and their uncertainty about the future.
- People live from day to day in a world full of uncertainties.
- With that she departed, leaving the young man full of ardor and decision, all his former uncertainty and hesitation gone.
Longman Language Activatorsomething that you cannot be certain about
something that is uncertain , has not been definitely shown or decided: · The cause of the accident is uncertain.· Exactly how and when these plant species came to the Great Plains is not certain.it is uncertain whether/if: · It is still uncertain whether the conference will actually take place.it is uncertain how/why/when/that: · It's uncertain when the trial will begin.· It is not at all certain that Christopher Columbus was the first European to discover America.
a situation that is unclear , is one that people do not know enough or understand enough to be sure about it: · The causes of the dispute are not entirely clear.· At this hour, the fate of the passengers and crew is still unclear.it is unclear how/why/whether etc: · It isn't clear how the fire started.· It's not yet clear whether the disease is caused by a virus.· It was unclear when the two sides would meet again to discuss the budget.it is not clear that: · It's not clear that the problems with the new computer system have been worked out.
informal use this about something that is uncertain because a decision has not yet been made: · I might be going on a training course next week, but it's still up in the air.· They still haven't said if I've got the job -- it's all up in the air at the moment.
use this to say that people do not feel certain about what has happened or will happen, and are worried about it - used especially in newspapers and public speeches: · The Principal said there was uncertainty about the candidate's qualifications.· There is some uncertainty over where the refugees are going to be housed.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY There is a great deal of uncertainty about the company’s future.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
There is a great deal of uncertainty about the company’s future.· David Lewis, chairman, said the year started with a considerable amount of uncertainty and despair in the travel industry.· This cycle causes considerable market uncertainty affecting the occupiers, developers, investors and planners involved in new building.· There is still considerable uncertainty, for example, about the privatization process.· In addition, considerable uncertainty must remain until we know government's firm views on our future.· The existence of sub-sects such as the Zadokites and the Nazareans has generated considerable confusion and uncertainty among biblical scholars.· As there is considerable clinical uncertainty and variation in practice in this condition such debate is to be welcomed.· Such experience would prove highly disturbing and create considerable uncertainty for business, especially importers and exporters, in that country.· During 1988 there was considerable uncertainty as to whether a slowing down of spending was taking place.
· The increasing internationalization of Chlor-Chemicals, both in marketing and production also helps provide a buffer against economic uncertainties.· A decrease in economic uncertainty allows the C11L curve to become flatter.· Five other states have passed similar moratoria, citing the economic uncertainty of nuclear power's future.· There are too many people who face economic uncertainty.· The preceding months of wrangling were the cause of a great deal of economic uncertainty.· Contingent workers receive lower wages, less fringes, fewer paid holidays, and must accept greater economic risks and uncertainty.· They are also a good hedge against all the political and economic uncertainties raging in Britain this Guy Fawkes week.· Some investors buy gold as a safe haven in times of political and economic uncertainty.
· Events moved quickly, though as Cullingworth's history reveals, not without great uncertainty and confusion in Whitehall.· Futures and options markets began when tankers tried to hedge against the great uncertainty of weather and agricultural markets.· Nevertheless, because of the greater uncertainties in the foreign exchange markets, more attention needs to be paid to currency risk.· The greatest uncertainty concerns Nelson Mandela's health.· It is one example of the great uncertainty that now shadows Hong Kong.· The announcement heralds a period of great uncertainty as the implications of these changes are fully worked through.· But it is in politics and in the broader field of civilization that the greatest uncertainties arise.
· But perhaps it reveals more of the inherent uncertainty of experimental research than the tidiness which precedes it.· Both EDs would require auditors to refer in their reports to inherent uncertainties affecting the accounts.· However, the proposals for added emphasis paragraphs in respect of disclosures about inherent uncertainties have a number of drawbacks.
· But the survey has failed to detect any improvement in confidence and the institute is blaming political uncertainties.· Copenhagen: Shares eased as political uncertainty and an ailing bond market reduced trade.· With so much at stake, political uncertainty is the last thing that investors want.· Higher taxes and political uncertainty would deter investment and destroy jobs.· During the next few months London could be rocked by political uncertainty.· They are also a good hedge against all the political and economic uncertainties raging in Britain this Guy Fawkes week.
NOUN· After this encounter Einstein gave up his specific attempts to undermine the uncertainty principle.· It has been noted that the quantum limit has its origin in the following expression of the uncertainty principle.· Real togetherness Einstein licked his wounds after his long drawn out battle with Bohr about the uncertainty principle.· The Heisenberg uncertainty principle tells us that.· Einstein's general relativity is what is called a classical theory; that is, it does not incorporate the uncertainty principle.· One therefore has to find a new theory that combines general relativity with the uncertainty principle.· The human brain, however, is also subject to the uncertainty principle.· The effects of the uncertainty principle will then become very important and seem to point to some remarkable results.
VERB· These sorts of kick-start measures add uncertainty to the economy.· The crisis in Chechnya added to the uncertainty.· Either will do, but the present confusion has only added to uncertainty in the financial markets.· The need to sift and correct the information put out by companies adds cost and uncertainty to the market's pricing function.· Love added uncertainty, love lavished all her extravagant colours and textures.
· These fluctuations in interest rates will cause further uncertainty and further shifts in the speculative demand for money.· I and my colleagues understand the anxiety caused by uncertainties like this and will clarify the position as early as possible.· This cycle causes considerable market uncertainty affecting the occupiers, developers, investors and planners involved in new building.· There have been many recent changes in government intervention programmes causing damaging uncertainty.· Children are also sensitive to stress caused by anxiety, uncertainty and economic hardship.· Again, the introduction of new fields causes uncertainty.· His referendum had caused great uncertainty.· Donald's offer on behalf of the company to buy a round of drinks had been ambiguous and caused uncertainty among us.
· The possibilities for current and prospective changes in such policies are creating uncertainties over the future of the rural environment.· The Raiders created some of the uncertainty, given their quarterback-swapping conversations with Atlanta.· This lack of guidance may create other uncertainties.· However, the Panel will not allow an offeror to rely on a pre-condition indefinitely as this creates uncertainty in the market.· But isolation from colleagues also creates uncertainty.· Such experience would prove highly disturbing and create considerable uncertainty for business, especially importers and exporters, in that country.· Ambush marketing creates a further uncertainty over any estimates of the value of sports sponsorship.
· Management is about dealing with uncertainty, you can never obtain perfect information.· They must deal creatively with uncertainty instead of futilely trying to eliminate it.· How do people deal with uncertainty?· The company dealt with uncertainty through a flexible organizational style, aided by a rapidly evolving information network.
· It is supposed to end the uncertainty surrounding the limits of control of young people in residential care.· Hong Kong politicians called on Mr Major to end months of uncertainty by immediately appointing a new Governor.· But now the Forestry Commission has decided to end the uncertainty by announcing plans to turn it into a wood.· A decade later, the local community's delighted that the Forestry Commission's decided to end the uncertainty.· The benefits of lower interest rates, ending exchange rate uncertainty and reducing business transaction costs are too powerful to ignore.
· I recognise that companies are under considerable pressures and that we face a period of uncertainty.· There are too many people who face economic uncertainty.· Many are still facing the uncertainty of life in refugee camps a year after leaving their homes.· Residents face their own uncertainties, worried about their homes and property.· When she left her job she faced a period of uncertainty while she tried to prove that her idea had potential.· Last year they faced uncertainty over their jobs when the Lewis's group went bust and called in the receivers.
· The impending retirement of Mr Arias, Nobel prize winner and the main motivator, has increased uncertainty.· Associating democracy with fear certainly multiplies the ambiguities and increases the uncertainties.· They had experienced the break-up of the Bretton Woods system and increasing international financial uncertainty.
· Perception is biased towards recognition and each successful achievement reduces uncertainty.· Providing information that reduces uncertainty is a second way a department can increase its power base.· A large quantity of information is needed in order to reduce this uncertainty to an acceptable level.· If there is a downturn in the economy, sudden pressure can be placed on sales to reduce this uncertainty.· They reduce uncertainty and hence anxiety about the future.· I can only reduce the painful uncertainty and bewilderment of those first few days by learning relevant information quickly.· Cognitive social psychologists assume that it is pan of human nature to reduce uncertainty by processing the external stimulus world through schemata.· Such an argument runs rather against the more usual one that science, in the long run, reduces uncertainty.
· Like most modern literature, the new narrative reflects the ontological uncertainty of contemporary man.· Gore's language reflected that uncertainty.· This range of almost 44 % is abnormally wide, reflecting even greater uncertainty than usual about what is driving currencies.· Their campaign reflected the uncertainties and weakness that led the Financial Times to back Labour.· The price range reflects the uncertainty involved in the novel technology that will be needed to build large syn-gas plants.
· This would remove the uncertainty and leave firms free to operate unconstrained within the legally created framework.
· The survey will inevitably resolve such jurisdictional uncertainties.· But Gallagher does not decide this and only a House of Lords judgment on the point can resolve the uncertainty.· In his speech yesterday to the Conservative Party conference, Mr Lawson did nothing to resolve the uncertainty.· We are carrying out a study now and we shall seek to resolve that uncertainty as soon as we can.· Further trials need to be done to resolve that uncertainty.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- I really have never felt even a flicker of emotion when I sang the National Anthem.
- Ruins, she thought, with a flicker of excitement.
- Shiona told herself with just a flicker of uncertainty, changing into second gear as she rounded a bend.
WORD FAMILYnouncertainty ≠ uncertaintyadjectivecertain ≠ uncertainadverbcertainly ≠ uncertainly
1[uncountable] when you feel doubt about what will happen: Times of great change are also times of uncertainty.uncertainty about/as to There is a great deal of uncertainty about the company’s future.2[countable usually plural] a situation which you are not sure about because you do not know what will happen: life’s uncertaintiesuncertainty of the uncertainties of old age