A2adjective 1K

Certain

🇬🇧 UK /["/ˈsɜːtn/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ˈsɜːrtn/"]/

Meaning of Certain

strongly believing something; having no doubts

In simple words: sure, without any doubt

Certain in a sentence

• I am certain that I locked the door before leaving.
• There are certain rules we must follow in the classroom.
• She was certain he would come to the party.
• Certain people have different opinions about the project.
• I'm not certain if I can make it to the meeting tomorrow.

How to use Certain

Use 'certain' when you want to express confidence in something. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English, but avoid it in very formal contexts where 'specific' or 'determined' may be better.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'certain' as being 'certain' you can win a game; you have no doubts.

Related words

Collocations with Certain

• be
• feel
• look
• very
• absolutely
• quite
• about
• of
• can’t say for certain
• not know for certain
• be
• feel
• look
• very
• absolutely
• quite
• about
• of
• can’t say for certain
• not know for certain

Synonyms for Certain

• sure
• positive
• definite
• assured
• clear

Opposites of Certain

• uncertain
• doubtful
• indefinite

Common mistakes with Certain

• Confused with 'sure' in different contexts.
• Using 'certain' without clarifying what is certain about.
• Incorrectly using 'certain' to describe someone as a person (should be used for objects or ideas).

Frequently asked questions about Certain

What does Certain mean?

sure, without any doubt

What is the definition of Certain?

strongly believing something; having no doubts

How do you use Certain in a sentence?

I am certain that I locked the door before leaving.

Can you give another example of Certain?

There are certain rules we must follow in the classroom.

What are synonyms for Certain?

Common alternatives include sure, positive, definite, assured, clear.

What is the opposite of Certain?

Opposite meanings include uncertain, doubtful, indefinite.

What words go with Certain?

It commonly pairs with be, feel, look, very, absolutely, quite, about, of, can’t say for certain, not know for certain, be, feel, look, very, absolutely, quite, about, of, can’t say for certain, not know for certain.

What are common mistakes when using Certain?

Confused with 'sure' in different contexts. Using 'certain' without clarifying what is certain about. Incorrectly using 'certain' to describe someone as a person (should be used for objects or ideas).

How do you pronounce Certain?

US: /["/ˈsɜːrtn/"]/, UK: /["/ˈsɜːtn/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Certain?

Use 'certain' when you want to express confidence in something. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English, but avoid it in very formal contexts where 'specific' or 'determined' may be better.

What CEFR level is Certain?

"Certain" is at A2 level on the CEFR scale.