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Antonyms for certain


Grammar : Adj
Spell : sur-tn
Phonetic Transcription : ˈsɜr tn



Definition of certain

Origin :
  • c.1300, "determined, fixed," from Old French certain "reliable, sure, assured" (12c.), from Vulgar Latin *certanus, from Latin certus "sure, fixed, settled, determined" (also source of Italian certo, Spanish cierto), originally a variant past participle of cernere "to distinguish, decide," literally "to sift, separate" (see crisis).
  • Of persons, "full of confidence in one's knowledge or judgment," from mid-14c. Euphemistic use (of a certain age, etc.) attested from mid-18c. Certainer, certainest were common to c.1750, but have fallen from proper use for some reason. Expression for certain "assuredly" is attested by early 14c.
  • adj confident
  • adj undoubtable, valid
  • adj fixed
  • adj referring to a specifically known amount
Example sentences :
  • Youth is prone to endow its opinions with all the dignity of certain knowledge.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Certain faculties develop in response to the pressure of environment.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • But its prisoners were not exempt from its heat, like certain holy ones of old.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • After all, there are certain things that you can't tell in too few words.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • So certain was he as to the exact locality, that he offered to conduct a party to the place.
  • Extract from : « Explorations in Australia » by John Forrest
  • Her girlhood had in it a certain dignity as of a virgin priestess or sibyl.
  • Extract from : « Malbone » by Thomas Wentworth Higginson
  • Evidences of heavy rainfall at certain times to be seen everywhere.
  • Extract from : « Explorations in Australia » by John Forrest
  • Often it happened that certain farmers could not pay their tax.
  • Extract from : « Ancient Man » by Hendrik Willem van Loon
  • They have confederated together for certain specified objects.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
  • They replied, without hesitation, that they were certain of it; that they could not be deceived.
  • Extract from : « Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 » by Various

Synonyms for certain

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019