certain

adjective
cer·tain
/ˈsɜː.tən/

Sure in one's mind, positive; absolutely confident in the truth of something.

Example

“I was certain of my decision.”

Other meanings

Not to be doubted or denied; established as a fact.
“Now that more experiments have been run, the theory is certain and the argument is settled.”
Sure to happen, inevitable; assured.
“It is certain that Spain will reach the finals. / Spain is now certain to reach the finals. / Spain is now certain of a place in the finals.”

Related words

certainness
noncertain
certain event
certain person
for certain
make certain
of a certain
of a certain age
certain as death and taxes
certain as death or taxes

Example sentences

“She moves like a breeze, soft and certain.”
Tatoeba · Igider · CC0
“Certain wavelengths, like ultraviolet light, just don't make it through the atmosphere.”
Tatoeba · Cangarejo · CC0

Word history

From Latin "certus" (fixed, resolved, certain).

Where this comes from

This definition is adapted from “certain” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; example sentences are from Tatoeba, credited to their authors above, published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.