surefire

adjective

sure·​fire ˈshu̇r-ˈfī(-ə)r 

ˈshər-

: certain to get successful or expected results

a surefire recipe

Synonyms

• can't-miss
• certain
• fail-safe
• infallible
• sure
• unfailing

Examples of surefire in a Sentence

The movie is a surefire hit with teenagers.

There is no surefire way to predict the outcome.

Recent Examples on the Web

Because Adrienne and most of her family members who would have been alive in 1964 are deceased, the D’Onofrios know there’s no surefire way to confirm her identity. —Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2024

Taking sides now is a surefire way to inflame at least one faction in a conflict that has divided campuses, split the Democratic Party and handed Republican lawmakers a cudgel with which to attack the institutions. —Maureen Farrell, New York Times, 3 May 2024

Quickly building more infrastructure across North America is seen as one of the few surefire ways to address those concerns, especially as EV sales growth slows. —William Gavin, Quartz, 1 May 2024

But lately, a degree hasn’t been the same surefire way to land a job. —Bypaolo Confino, Fortune, 26 Apr. 2024

The only surefire way to verify the use of covenants is to examine individual deeds through a title search. —Jeremy Lechtzin, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024

These days, the surefire way to get ahead in health insurance is to become a health care provider, and Elevance just upped the ante. —Tara Bannow, STAT, 18 Apr. 2024

Mondelēz’s cookie borders are crumbling Need a surefire way to make the European Union angry? —Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 17 Apr. 2024

These Skip Balls are an easier, kid-friendly alternative and a surefire way to get the whole family involved in water play. —Laura Lu, Parents, 15 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

surefire

adjective

sure·​fire ˌshu̇r-ˌfī(ə)r 

: certain to get results