certain
Usage
What are other ways to say certain?
Certain, one of a handful of adjectives indicating full belief and trust that something is true, suggests that there are definite reasons that have freed one from doubt. Confident emphasizes the strength of the belief or the certainty of expectation felt. Positive implies emphatic certainty, which may even become overconfidence or dogmatism. Sure, the simplest and most general term, expresses mere absence of doubt.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"I'm going to still give it absolutely everything and try and hassle them as much as I can and try and force them into not making certain corners."
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
Say the words “gas station food” and a certain image probably comes to mind: Dusty, sodium-packed snacks nestled among neon antifreezes and pine-scented air fresheners.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026
Others are not risk-free: high doses of certain vitamins and minerals can cause toxicity, interfere with medications or produce unintended health effects.
From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026
Across the city, certain battleground precincts were so tight that no single candidate had a lead as of Wednesday’s count, on which The Times’ analysis was based.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026
Duane was fairly certain it was the sunlight hitting C.C.’s metal telescope atop the slanted deck.
From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el
![]()
Vocabulary lists containing certain
The Real Deal: Synonyms for "True"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
List 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
A Sure Thing: Synonyms for "Definite"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!