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.
Not true — the Pew Research Center found 32 countries that have standards just like ours, while at least 50 others allow people born within their borders to become citizens if they meet certain criteria.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026
“They’re wanting research, clinical trials. They’re wanting a certain amount of certitude that, frankly, is appropriate for most drugs, but not for this moment.”
From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026
The point is to focus more on new offerings rather than heavily investing in certain staples, which caters well to Revolve’s shoppers, she said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
"There's also a need for certain non-disposable drone missions, capable of operating in challenging environments... that will be able to return or carry out missions further afield," he added.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
Maybe it would have stayed that way forever if a certain visitor had not come to The Mountain in search of a certain kind of gold.
From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
