Certain Meaning
/ˈsɜː.tən/Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjSure in one's mind, positive; absolutely confident in the truth of something.
adjNot to be doubted or denied; established as a fact.
Sentence Examples
I'm certain of your success.
Your eyes have a certain magnetism.
Many animals breed only at certain times of the year.
CEFR Practice Quiz
I am absolutely ____ that she will arrive before six o'clock.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I am absolutely ____ that I left my keys on the table this morning.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English certeyn, certein, certain, borrowed from Old French certain, from a Vulgar Latin unattested form *certānus, extended form of Latin certus (“fixed, resolved, certain”), of the same origin as cretus, past participle of cernere (“to separate, perceive, decide”). Displaced native Middle English wis, iwis (“certain, sure”) (from Old English ġewiss (“certain, sure”)) and alternative Middle English spelling sertane (“some, certain”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[…] I think, nay, I may say that I'm sartain, we'll have a hurricane afore morning. It's not the first time I've cruised in these latitudes."
— 1833, [Frederick Marryat], chapter VIII, in Peter Simple. […], volume III, London: Saunders and Otley, […], published 1834, →OCLC, page 113:
"[…]the dreame is certaine, and the interpretation thereof ſure."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Daniel 2:45, column 1:
"[…]death (as the Pſalmiſt ſaith) is certaine to all, all ſhall die."
— c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Second Part of Henrie the Fourth, […], quarto edition, London: […] V[alentine] S[immes] for Andrew Wise, and William Aspley, published 1600, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]:
"How vain is Virtue which directs our ways
Through certain danger to uncertain praiſe!"
— 1675, John Dryden, Aureng-zebe: A Tragedy. […], London: […] T[homas] N[ewcomb] for Henry Herringman, […], published 1676, →OCLC, Act II, page 29:
"I have often wished, that I knew so certain a remedy in any other disease"
— 1702, Richard Mead, Mechanical Account of Poisons:
Explore More A1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
I am absolutely ____ that she will arrive before six o'clock.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I am absolutely ____ that I left my keys on the table this morning.