ENGLISH
REFERENCE

certainty

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈsɝtənti// UK //sˈɜːtənti// cer·tain·ty General-service

n. the state of being completely sure about something. It can also mean a fact that is definitely true and will happen.

n. the state of being free from doubt or the quality of being reliably established. Often functions as an abstract concept or as a concrete instance of an inevitable event.


SIMPLE

I can say with certainty that we will win.

CONTEXTUAL

The scientists cannot predict the exact date of the eruption with absolute certainty, though they know it is coming.

COMPLEX

In an era of rapid technological change, the only certainty is that the job market will look fundamentally different in a decade than it does today.

Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English certeynte (“surety”), from Anglo-Norman certeinte, from Old French certeinete, from Vulgar Latin *certānitās, from Latin certus.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general state of being sure; countable when referring to a specific fact or event that is certain.

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