# certainty

/ˈsɝtənti/ (US) · /sˈɜːtənti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/certainty
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the feeling of being sure

noun · CEFR B2

the feeling of being completely sure that something is true or will happen.

For teachers: the psychological state of being confident or certain about a proposition or outcome.

- I can say with certainty that we will finish the project on time.
- Despite the conflicting evidence, the witness spoke with such absolute certainty that the jury found her testimony highly persuasive.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'with certainty' or 'a sense of certainty'.

### 2. a definite fact

noun · CEFR B2

something that is definitely true or that will definitely happen.

For teachers: an established fact or an event that is inevitable.

- It is a certainty that prices will rise again next year.
- In the volatile world of venture capital, there is no such thing as a mathematical certainty, regardless of how promising a startup appears.

Usage: Commonly used with the definite article as 'a certainty'.

## Examples

- I can say with certainty that we will win.
- The scientists cannot predict the exact date of the eruption with absolute certainty, though they know it is coming.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.