certain

A2 Topic:Describing Qualities

Also spelled certing and sartin

US /ˈsɝ.tən/ UK /ˈsɜː.tən/ See IPA manual

Freq #886

Meanings

1

adj
Completely sure that something is true.

I am certain that I locked the door.
2

adj
Sure to happen and impossible to avoid.

It is certain that prices will rise next year.
3

adj
Particular but not named or described in detail.

Certain people in the room disagreed with the plan.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · completely sure that... sure

2 adj · sure to happen and... unavoidable

More assured clear confident definite doubtless positive sicker unambiguous unequivocal univocal unwavering

Opposites

impossible incidental uncertain

Word family

Derived forms certainlycertainnesscertaintynoncertain

Related forms fated intentional irrefutable

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

certain cachet
a distinctive measure of prestige or fashionable appeal

Adjective + noun

Proverbs (1)

See all

Nothing is certain but death and taxes

Etymology

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”).

*krey- Proto-Indo-European certeyn Middle English certain Old French certus Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

# certain

**Type:** Word
**Level:** A2
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ˈsɝ.tən/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈsɜː.tən/
**Frequency rank:** 886

## Meanings
1. Completely sure that something is true.
2. Sure to happen and impossible to avoid.
3. Particular but not named or described in detail.

## Examples
- I am certain that I locked the door.
- It is certain that prices will rise next year.
- Certain people in the room disagreed with the plan.

## Synonyms
- assured
- clear
- confident
- definite
- doubtless
- positive
- sicker
- sure
- unambiguous
- unequivocal
- univocal
- unwavering

## Antonyms
- impossible
- incidental
- uncertain

## Derived Forms
- certainly
- certainness
- certainty
- noncertain

## Related Forms
- fated
- intentional
- irrefutable

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *krey-
- Root: certeyn
- Root: certain
- Root: certus

## Etymology
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”).

## AI Etymology
certain is an adjective. It is 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”). Historical forms in the chain include *krey- (Proto-Indo-European), certeyn (Middle English), certain (Old French), and certus (Latin). Current senses include completely sure that something is true, sure to happen and impossible to avoid, and particular but not named or described in detail. Derived forms include certainly, certainness, certainty, and noncertain. Related words include fated, intentional, and irrefutable.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

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