Sekirov Dictionary

certain

UK /ˈsɜː.tən/US /ˈsɝ.tən/

adjective 10
determiner 1
pronoun 1
forms 4

adjective10

•
completely sure that something is true, with no doubt at all
- I was certain of my decision.
•
Particular and definite, but unspecified or unnamed; used to introduce someone or something without going into further detail.
- Every wine has a certain distinctive character which sets it apart from all others.
- Each morning, she would see a certain man rush past her window on his way to work.
•
Named but not previously mentioned.
- Looking inside the cover, they learned that the book had once belonged to a certain R. Jones.
•
Sure to happen, inevitable; assured.
- It is certain that Spain will reach the finals. / Spain is now certain to reach the finals. / Spain is now certain of a place in the finals.
- Bankruptcy is the certain outcome of your constant gambling and lending.
•
Not to be doubted or denied; established as a fact.
- Now that more experiments have been run, the theory is certain and the argument is settled.
•
(euphemistic) Used to denote that the speaker is referring to a specific person or thing that they do not want to name directly, implying that the listener should infer the identity of the referent.
- I would have been here on time, but a certain someone lost the car keys!
•
Used before the name of someone famous that people are expected to know.
- Since the last British government to make such a proposal was that of a certain Margaret Thatcher, it might not seem unreasonable.
Fixed; regular; determinate.
•
Unfailing; infallible.
- I have often wished, that I knew so certain a remedy in any other disease — 1702
•
(no longer used) Determined; resolved.
- However I with thee have fixt my Lot, Certain to undergoe like doom[…] — 1667

determiner1

•
Having been determined but not specified.
- Certain people are good at running.

pronoun1

•
Unnamed or undescribed members (of).
- She mentioned a series of contracts, of which certain are not cited.

forms

certainer · more certain · certainest · most certain

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