sure
adjective /ʃʊə(r)/, /ʃɔː(r)/
/ʃʊr/
(comparative surer, superlative surest)
You can also use more sure and most sure, especially in sense 1.Idioms - ‘Is that John over there?’ ‘I'm not sure’.
- You don't sound very sure.
- sure (that)… I'm pretty sure (that) he'll agree.
- Are you sure you don't mind?
- I’m sure he’s still alive.
- sure of something I hope you are sure of your facts.
- sure about something Are you sure about that?
- not sure how, whether, etc… Ask me if you're not sure how to do it.
- I'm not sure whether I should tell you this.
- not exactly/entirely/absolutely/really sure
- I still wasn't even sure who I was talking to.
- I like this bit, but I'm not so sure about that one.
Extra ExamplesTopics Personal qualitiesa1- What makes you so sure she'll come back to you?
- I'm quite sure (that) I left my bag here.
- Potts was confident of taking the American title, but less sure about the world championship.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- seem
- …
- absolutely
- completely
- quite
- …
- about
- of
- sure of something You're always sure of a warm welcome there.
- We could not be sure of financial support.
- sure of doing something England must win this game to be sure of qualifying for the World Cup.
Synonyms suresureTopics Doubt, guessing and certaintyb1- confident
- convinced
- certain
- positive
- clear
- sure [not before noun] without any doubt that you are right, that something is true, that you will get something or that something will happen:
- ‘Is that John over there?’ ‘I’m not sure.’
- Are you sure about that?
- England must win this game to be sure of qualifying.
- confident completely sure that something will happen in the way that you want or expect:
- I’m quite confident that you’ll get the job.
- The team feels confident of winning.
- convinced [not before noun] completely sure that something is true or right, especially because the evidence seems to prove it or somebody else has persuaded you to believe it:
- I’m convinced that she’s innocent.
- certain [not usually before noun] sure that you are right or that something is true:
- Are you absolutely certain about this?
- positive [not before noun] (rather informal) completely sure that something is true:
- She was positive that he’d been there.
- ‘Are you sure?’ ‘Positive.’
- clear (often used in negative statements and questions) having no doubt or confusion about something:
- My memory isn’t really clear on that point.
- sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive/clear about something
- sure/confident/convinced/certain of something
- sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive/clear that…
- sure/certain/clear who/what/how, etc.
- to feel sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive
- quite/absolutely/completely/fairly/pretty sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive/clear
- not altogether sure/confident/convinced/certain/clear
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- seem
- …
- absolutely
- completely
- quite
- …
- about
- of
- The exhibition is sure to be popular.
- It's sure to rain.
- You’re sure to get lost if you don’t keep to the path.
- She's sure to be picked for the team.
Synonyms certaincertainTopics Doubt, guessing and certaintyb1- bound
- sure
- definite
- guaranteed
- certain that you can rely on to happen or be true:
- It’s certain that they will agree.
- They are certain to agree.
- bound [not before noun] certain to happen, or to do or be something. Bound is only used in the phrase bound to do/be, etc.: You’ve done so much work—you’re bound to pass the exam. • There are bound to be changes when the new system is introduced.
- sure certain to happen or be true; that can be trusted or relied on:
- She’s sure to be picked for the team.
- It’s sure to rain.
- definite (rather informal) certain to happen; that is not going to change:
- Is it definite that he’s leaving?
- guaranteed certain to have a particular result:
- That kind of behaviour is guaranteed to make him angry.
- certain/sure of something
- certain/bound/sure/guaranteed to do something
- certain/definite that…
- I couldn’t say for certain/sure/definite.
- [usually before noun] that can be trusted or relied on
- It's a sure sign of economic recovery.
- There's only one sure way to do it.
- He is a sure bet for the presidential nomination (= certain to succeed).
- I told my friends that our winning was a sure thing.
Synonyms certaincertain- bound
- sure
- definite
- guaranteed
- certain that you can rely on to happen or be true:
- It’s certain that they will agree.
- They are certain to agree.
- bound [not before noun] certain to happen, or to do or be something. Bound is only used in the phrase bound to do/be, etc.: You’ve done so much work—you’re bound to pass the exam. • There are bound to be changes when the new system is introduced.
- sure certain to happen or be true; that can be trusted or relied on:
- She’s sure to be picked for the team.
- It’s sure to rain.
- definite (rather informal) certain to happen; that is not going to change:
- Is it definite that he’s leaving?
- guaranteed certain to have a particular result:
- That kind of behaviour is guaranteed to make him angry.
- certain/sure of something
- certain/bound/sure/guaranteed to do something
- certain/definite that…
- I couldn’t say for certain/sure/definite.
- [usually before noun] steady and confident
- We admired her sure touch at the keyboard.
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French sur, from Latin securus ‘free from care’.
Idioms
be sure to do something
- used to tell somebody to do something
- Be sure to give your family my regards.
- Be sure to check out our website.
for sure
- (informal) without doubt
- No one knows for sure what happened.
- I think he'll be back on Monday, but I can't say for sure.
- One thing is for sure—it's not going to be easy.
- (North American English) ‘Will you be there?’ ‘For sure.’
a good/safe/sure bet
- something that is likely to happen, to succeed or to be suitable
- He's a good bet to earn a spot on the US team.
- Clothes are a safe bet as a present for a teenager.
- The movie looks like a sure bet for Best Film.
make sure (of something/that…)
- Make sure (that) no one finds out about this.
- They scored another goal and made sure of victory.
- Our staff will do their best to make sure you enjoy your visit.
- To make doubly sure they would not be disturbed she turned the key in the lock.
- She looked around to make sure that she was alone.
- I think the door's locked, but I'll just go and make sure.
sure of yourself
- (sometimes disapproving) very confident
- She seems very sure of herself.
sure thing
- (informal, especially North American English) used to say ‘yes’ to a suggestion or request
- ‘Are you coming?’ ‘Sure thing.’
to be sure
- (formal) used to admit that something is true
- He is intelligent, to be sure, but he's also very lazy.