sure
/ʃɔː
/ /ʃʊə /adjective
1 [predicative, often with clause] Completely confident that one is right: I’m sure I’ve seen that dress before she had to check her diary to be sure of the day of the week...
- I'm not sure of his objections but I'm sure, if we try, we can reach agreement to our mutual satisfaction.
- She came home, sure of a good number of those questions, not as sure about several others.
- I was absolutely sure of myself, sure I was going to make him proud of me and I did.
Synonyms
certain, positive, convinced, definite, confident, decided, assured, secure, satisfied, persuaded, easy in one's mind, free from doubt;
unhesitating, unwavering, unfaltering, unvacillating, unshakeable, unshaken
2 (sure of/to do something) Certain to receive, get, or do something: United are sure of a UEFA Cup place it’s sure to rain before morning...
- Cameras are expensive, but ask the avid photographer and you are sure to receive a nonchalant shrug.
- This very popular group are sure to receive a very warm welcome in the Western Hotel.
- Demand is likely to be high and with the use of the Middlethorpe stretch still in doubt, tickets are sure to sell out.
Synonyms
confident, certain, assured;
with no doubts about
bound, destined, fated, predestined, very likely
British informal nailed on
3True beyond any doubt: what is sure is that learning is a complex business
Synonyms
unquestionable, indisputable, incontestable, irrefutable, incontrovertible, undeniable, indubitable, beyond question, beyond doubt;
undoubted, absolute, categorical, true, certain, well grounded, well founded, proven, settled, decided;
obvious, evident, plain, clear, conclusive, final, definite, unmistakable, manifest, patent
3.1 [attributive] Able to be relied on or trusted: her neck was red—a sure sign of agitation...
- Teague scowled, and his wings pressed closer to his back, a sure sign of agitation.
- Evidence of derelict buildings being refurbished at council expense are a sure sign of the nature of the trust.
- I delight in such juicy characters and put Bath's book down wanting more of them - a sure sign of a great read.
Synonyms
guaranteed, unfailing, infallible, unerring, assured, certain, inevitable, incontestable, irrevocable
informal sure-fire, in the bag, as sure as eggs is eggs
reliable, dependable, trustworthy, unfailing, infallible, never-failing, certain, unambiguous, tested, tried and true, true, foolproof, established, effective, efficacious
informal sure-fire
4Showing confidence or assurance: the drawings impress by their sure sense of rhythm...
- It lacks the usually sure sense of design that Conran brings.
Synonyms
firm, steady, stable, secure, confident, solid, steadfast, unhesitating, unfaltering, unwavering, unswerving
adverb informal, chiefly North American
1Certainly (used for emphasis): Texas sure was a great place to grow up...
- For two decades, though, his constituents have sure voted as if they wanted lower taxes.
1.1 [as exclamation] Used to show assent: ‘Are you serious?’ ‘Sure.’...
- He wasn't there when I rang but a couple of hours later the answer came back - sure, no problem.
- Increasingly they do, but, sure, it's a major aspect of the museum that needs to be out there more.
- She's still a part of my life and, sure, it hurts sometimes to think about us not being together in the same way that we once were.
Phrases
be sure
for sure
make sure
(as) sure as eggs is eggs
sure enough
sure of oneself
sure thing
to be sure
Derivatives
sureness
/ /ˈʃʊənəs / noun ...- That may sound dull, but he composed with a lyrical sureness of balance that makes his art as pure and purifying as he hoped.
- It is meticulously incised with an image startling in its sureness of line, composition and structure, and magnificent in its subtlety.
- Technically perfect, she stuck her landings with sureness and confidence.
Origin
Middle English: from Old French sur, from Latin securus 'free from care'.
This is from Old French sur, from Latin securus ‘free from care’. The same Latin word gives us security (Late Middle English), the legal surety (Middle English), and insecure (mid 17th century) ‘not free from care’, as well as assure (Late Middle English). See curate