uncertain

[ uhn-sur-tn ]

/ ʌnˈsɜr tn /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR uncertain ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

not definitely ascertainable or fixed, as in time of occurrence, number, dimensions, or quality.

not confident, assured, or free from hesitancy: an uncertain smile.

not clearly or precisely determined; indefinite; unknown: a manuscript of uncertain origin.

vague; indistinct; not perfectly apprehended: an abstruse novel with uncertain themes.

subject to change; variable; capricious; unstable: a person of uncertain opinions.

ambiguous; unreliable; undependable: Her loyalties are uncertain.

dependent on chance or unpredictable factors; doubtful; of unforeseeable outcome or effect.

unsteady or flickering, as light; of changing intensity or quality.

Origin of uncertain

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at un-¹, certain

SYNONYMS FOR uncertain

1 unsure, unpredictable.

3 unsettled, undetermined.

8 irregular.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR uncertain ON THESAURUS.COM

synonym study for uncertain

1. Uncertain, insecure, precarious imply a lack of predictability. That which is uncertain is doubtful or problematical; it often involves danger through an inability to predict or to place confidence in the unknown: The time of his arrival is uncertain. That which is insecure is not firm, stable, reliable, or safe, and hence is likely to give way, fail, or be overcome: an insecure foundation, footing, protection. Precarious suggests great susceptibility to failure, or exposure to imminent danger: a precarious means of existence.

OTHER WORDS FROM uncertain

un·cer·tain·ly, adverbun·cer·tain·ness, noun

Words nearby uncertain

uncase, uncaused, unceasing, uncensored, unceremonious, uncertain, uncertainty, uncertainty principle, unchain, unchallenged, unchancy

Dictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for uncertain

In war, he wrote, “everything is uncertain … all military action is intertwined with psychological forces and effects.”
How Clausewitz Invented Modern War|James A. Warren|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The jailer had a high-school-age daughter and was uncertain how to help her get in college,” writes Ferris.
The Tragic History of Southern Food|Jason Berry|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile, ISIS is on the march, and President Obama strikes an uncertain pose.
Iowa Frontrunner Mike Huckabee Talks to The Daily Beast|Lloyd Green|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even “destroyed” becomes an uncertain term when applied to these sort of digital files.
Your Arrest Video Is Going Online. Who Will See It?|Jacob Siegel|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Whether this three-day system is a harbinger of seasonal weather changes is uncertain.
A Cloud Forms Over Saturn’s Mysterious Moon|Matthew R. Francis|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was here Harvey first met the squid, who is one of the best cod-baits, but uncertain in his moods.
"Captains Courageous"|Rudyard Kipling
It is uncertain what the Naxian whetstone was, but it was considered the best variety of whetstone.
Surgical Instruments in Greek and Roman Times|John Stewart Milne
Before he could take a third, Blondel gasped, and made an uncertain movement with his hand, as if he would reassure him.
The Long Night|Stanley Weyman
"There've been so many burglaries lately—" She ceased, uncertain of her voice.
The Price of Love|Arnold Bennett
She is fingering it in an uncertain, frightened way when the servant returns.
Dramatic Technique|George Pierce Baker

British Dictionary definitions for uncertain

uncertain

/ (ʌnˈsɜːtən) /

adjective

not able to be accurately known or predictedthe issue is uncertain

(when postpositive, often foll by of) not sure or confident (about)a man of uncertain opinion

not precisely determined, established, or decideduncertain plans

not to be depended upon; unreliablean uncertain vote

liable to variation; changeablethe weather is uncertain

in no uncertain terms

unambiguously
forcefully

Derived forms of uncertain

uncertainly, adverbuncertainness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with uncertain

uncertain

see in no uncertain terms.

单词	uncertain
释义	uncertain [ uhn-sur-tn ] / ʌnˈsɜr tn / SEE SYNONYMS FOR uncertain ON THESAURUS.COM adjective not definitely ascertainable or fixed, as in time of occurrence, number, dimensions, or quality. not confident, assured, or free from hesitancy: an uncertain smile. not clearly or precisely determined; indefinite; unknown: a manuscript of uncertain origin. vague; indistinct; not perfectly apprehended: an abstruse novel with uncertain themes. subject to change; variable; capricious; unstable: a person of uncertain opinions. ambiguous; unreliable; undependable: Her loyalties are uncertain. dependent on chance or unpredictable factors; doubtful; of unforeseeable outcome or effect. unsteady or flickering, as light; of changing intensity or quality. Origin of uncertain Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at un-¹, certain SYNONYMS FOR uncertain 1 unsure, unpredictable. 3 unsettled, undetermined. 8 irregular. SEE SYNONYMS FOR uncertain ON THESAURUS.COM synonym study for uncertain 1. Uncertain, insecure, precarious imply a lack of predictability. That which is uncertain is doubtful or problematical; it often involves danger through an inability to predict or to place confidence in the unknown: The time of his arrival is uncertain. That which is insecure is not firm, stable, reliable, or safe, and hence is likely to give way, fail, or be overcome: an insecure foundation, footing, protection. Precarious suggests great susceptibility to failure, or exposure to imminent danger: a precarious means of existence. OTHER WORDS FROM uncertain un·cer·tain·ly, adverbun·cer·tain·ness, noun Words nearby uncertain uncase, uncaused, unceasing, uncensored, unceremonious, uncertain, uncertainty, uncertainty principle, unchain, unchallenged, unchancy Dictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020 Example sentences from the Web for uncertain In war, he wrote, “everything is uncertain … all military action is intertwined with psychological forces and effects.” How Clausewitz Invented Modern War\|James A. Warren\|November 24, 2014\|DAILY BEAST “The jailer had a high-school-age daughter and was uncertain how to help her get in college,” writes Ferris. The Tragic History of Southern Food\|Jason Berry\|November 12, 2014\|DAILY BEAST Meanwhile, ISIS is on the march, and President Obama strikes an uncertain pose. Iowa Frontrunner Mike Huckabee Talks to The Daily Beast\|Lloyd Green\|September 22, 2014\|DAILY BEAST Even “destroyed” becomes an uncertain term when applied to these sort of digital files. Your Arrest Video Is Going Online. Who Will See It?\|Jacob Siegel\|September 11, 2014\|DAILY BEAST Whether this three-day system is a harbinger of seasonal weather changes is uncertain. A Cloud Forms Over Saturn’s Mysterious Moon\|Matthew R. Francis\|August 17, 2014\|DAILY BEAST It was here Harvey first met the squid, who is one of the best cod-baits, but uncertain in his moods. "Captains Courageous"\|Rudyard Kipling It is uncertain what the Naxian whetstone was, but it was considered the best variety of whetstone. Surgical Instruments in Greek and Roman Times\|John Stewart Milne Before he could take a third, Blondel gasped, and made an uncertain movement with his hand, as if he would reassure him. The Long Night\|Stanley Weyman "There've been so many burglaries lately—" She ceased, uncertain of her voice. The Price of Love\|Arnold Bennett She is fingering it in an uncertain, frightened way when the servant returns. Dramatic Technique\|George Pierce Baker British Dictionary definitions for uncertain uncertain / (ʌnˈsɜːtən) / adjective not able to be accurately known or predictedthe issue is uncertain (when postpositive, often foll by of) not sure or confident (about)a man of uncertain opinion not precisely determined, established, or decideduncertain plans not to be depended upon; unreliablean uncertain vote liable to variation; changeablethe weather is uncertain in no uncertain terms unambiguously forcefully Derived forms of uncertain uncertainly, adverbuncertainness, noun Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Idioms and Phrases with uncertain uncertain see in no uncertain terms. The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Content related to uncertain 8 Pandemic Words & Phrases People Absolutely Never Want To Hear AgainWe used our Twitter to ask people to share the overused words and phrases they are utterly sick of hearing, and our fans did not hold back. Do you agree? READ MORE Words related to uncertain questionable, ambiguous, unclear, unsure, hesitant, undetermined, unsettled, insecure, precarious, dubious, erratic, unpredictable, unresolved, hazy, undecided, unreliable, risky, vague, ambivalent, chancy
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uncertain

adjective

Origin of uncertain

SYNONYMS FOR uncertain

synonym study for uncertain

OTHER WORDS FROM uncertain

Words nearby uncertain

Example sentences from the Web for uncertain

British Dictionary definitions for uncertain

adjective

Derived forms of uncertain

Idioms and Phrases with uncertain

Content related to uncertain

Words related to uncertain