certain
/ˈsəːt(ə)n
/adjective
1Able to be firmly relied on to happen or be the case: it’s certain that more changes are in the offing she looks certain to win an Oscar...
- A vote on this issue was withdrawn last week, as it was certain to be defeated.
- It was wryly noted that the heavens had delivered the Scots from certain defeat.
- It will be hard, and it may not ensure victory, but any other way is certain defeat.
Synonyms
unquestionable, sure, definite, beyond question, not in question, not in doubt, beyond doubt, unequivocal, indubitable, undeniable, irrefutable, indisputable, incontrovertible, incontestable, obvious, patent, manifest, evident, plain, clear, transparent, palpable, unmistakable, conclusive, recognized, confirmed, accepted, acknowledged, undisputed, undoubted, unquestioned, unchallenged, uncontested;
there are no two ways about it
informal as sure as eggs is eggs
sure, very likely, bound, destined, predestined, fated, trusted, assured of doing something
British informal nailed on
inevitable, assured, destined, predestined, fated;
reliable, unavoidable, inescapable, automatic, bound to happen, sure to happen, unpreventable, inexorable, ineluctable, predictable, necessary, out of one's hands
informal in the bag
reliable, dependable, trustworthy, sound, foolproof, tested, tried and tested, effective, efficacious, guaranteed, sure, unfailing, infallible, unerring
informal sure-fire
dated sovereign
1.1Having or showing complete conviction about something: are you absolutely certain about this?...
- Whatever the future holds, the one thing he can be certain about is how much he will miss Blackburn Rovers.
- Ella Lockett from Bassett Green admitted she wasn't certain about joining the group.
- He is just as certain about this as he is about wanting to reach his sporting potential as an adult, not as a teenager.
Synonyms
sure, confident, positive, convinced, in no doubt, unshaken in one's belief, secure in one's belief, easy in one's mind, satisfied, assured, persuaded;
(be certain) have no doubt, not question, hold the unwavering view
2 [attributive] Specific but not explicitly named or stated: he raised certain personal problems with me the exercise was causing him a certain amount of pain...
- Depending on the status of the field only certain units may be able to operate from the area.
- For every advanced feature added, I increasingly expect to be able to do certain things.
- I'm not trying to sound like a saint, but we take for granted that we are healthy and able to live a certain way.
Synonyms
determined, definite, fixed, established, precise, defined, exact, explicit, express
particular, specific, individual, special, especial
2.1Used when mentioning the name of someone not known to the reader or hearer: a certain General Percy captured the town...
- And this was a plagiarism from a certain Mr. "Toe" King, so called from this invention!
- I saw a certain Mr. Drewett walking in the direction of Wall-street, and had the charity to tell him you would be at home in ten minutes.
- When a certain Mr. Po assisted with military affairs on the northern frontier, he obtained a well-bred horse to give to me.
pronoun (certain of)
Some but not all: certain of his works have been edited...
- EU citizens from other countries can vote in certain of our elections.
- My sense of humour used to be so dry that it was sometimes impossible to know how to take certain of my comments.
- In certain of the cases above, a necessary division of labor may occur within the task.
Phrases
for certain
make certain
of a certain age
Origin
Middle English: from Old French, based on Latin certus 'settled, sure'.