Definition of certain

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< cert.

certainly >

cer·tain    (sûrtn) KEY  

ADJECTIVE:

1. Definite; fixed: set aside a certain sum each week.
2. Sure to come or happen; inevitable: certain success.
3. Established beyond doubt or question; indisputable: What is certain is that every effect must have a cause.
4. Capable of being relied on; dependable: a quick and certain remedy.
5. Having or showing confidence; assured.
6. 1. Not specified or identified but assumed to be known: felt that certain breeds did not make good pets.
   2. Named but not known or previously mentioned: a certain Ms. Johnson.
7. Perceptible; noticeable: a certain charm; a certain air of mystery.
8. Not great; calculable: to a certain degree; a certain delay in the schedule.

PRONOUN:

An indefinite but limited number; some: Certain of the products are faulty.

IDIOM:
for certain

Without doubt; definitely.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *certnus, from Latin certus, past participle of cernere, to determine; see krei- in Indo-European roots

SYNONYMS:
certain , inescapable , inevitable , sure , unavoidable

These adjectives mean impossible to avoid or evade: soldiers who knew they faced certain death; facts that led to an inescapable conclusion; an inevitable result; sudden but sure retribution; an unavoidable accident. See also Synonyms at sure.
Usage Note:
Although certain appears to be an absolute term, it is frequently qualified by adverbs, as in fairly certain or quite certain. In an earlier survey a majority of the Usage Panel accepted the construction Nothing could be more certain.

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