certainty

noun

cer·​tain·​ty ˈsər-tᵊn-tē 

plural certainties

1

: something that is certain

2

: the quality or state of being certain especially on the basis of evidence

Synonyms

• assurance
• assuredness
• certitude
• cocksureness
• confidence
• conviction
• doubtlessness
• face
• positiveness
• satisfaction
• sureness
• surety

Choose the Right Synonym for certainty

certainty, certitude, conviction mean a state of being free from doubt.

certainty and certitude are very close; certainty may stress the existence of objective proof

claims that cannot be confirmed with scientific certainty

, while certitude may emphasize a faith in something not needing or not capable of proof.

believes with certitude in an afterlife

conviction applies especially to belief strongly held by an individual.

holds firm convictions on every issue

Examples of certainty in a Sentence

Scientists still do not know with any degree of certainty why the disease spread so quickly.

We cannot predict the outcome with absolute certainty.

There was no certainty that the package would arrive in time.

Her certainty about these complex moral issues is surprising.

Recent Examples on the Web

The certainty of the data is why our reports focus on the production costs of movies rather than their marketing costs or merchandise and home entertainment revenues. —Caroline Reid, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

The legal standard is something called reasonable certainty of no harm. —Jonquilyn Hill, Vox, 5 Nov. 2024

The only certainty is that these ups and downs haven’t yet seemed to hammer ByteDance cofounder Zhang Yiming — whose $49.3 billion fortune positions him at the top of the 2024 Hurun China Rich List. —Adriana Lee, WWD, 4 Nov. 2024

Having deep historical knowledge of how counties and states have voted in the past will also help provide certainty in the rare case of an abnormality, Tranter said. —Hadas Gold, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English certeinte, borrowed from Anglo-French certeinté, from certein, certain certain entry 1 + -té -ty

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing certainty

• almost a certainty
• with certainty

Kids Definition

certainty

noun

cer·​tain·​ty ˈsərt-ᵊn-tē 

plural certainties

1

: something certain

2

: the quality or state of being or feeling certain