sureadjective
uk/ʃɔːr/us/ʃʊr/A2 certain; without any doubt:
"What's wrong with him?" "I'm not really sure."
I'm sure (that) I left my keys on the table.
I feel absolutely sure (that) you've made the right decision.
It now seems sure (that) the election will result in another victory for the government.
Shaun isn't sure whether/if he'll be able to come to the party or not.
Is there anything you're not sure of/about?
We arrive early to be sure of getting a good seat.
There is only one sure way (= one way that can be trusted) of finding out the truth.
See also
cocksure
for sure
B1 certain or certainly:
I know for sure that I won't be able to go to the party.
One thing's for sure - once the baby's born, your lives will never be the same again.
be sure of yourself
B2 to be very or too confident:
She's become much more sure of herself since she got a job.
be sure of sth
B2 be confident that something is true:
He said that he wasn't completely sure of his facts.
be sure of/about sb
UK to have confidence in and trust someone:
Henry has only been working for us for a short while, and we're not really sure about him yet.
You can always be sure of Kay.
be sure to
C1 to be certain to:
She's sure to win.
I want to go somewhere where we're sure to have good weather.
make sure (that)
A2 to look and/or take action to be certain that something happens, is true, etc.:
Make sure you lock the door when you go out.
If you have a sure knowledge or understanding of something, you know or understand it very well:
I don't think he has a very sure understanding of the situation.
More examples
- If you don't hear from the builders this week, make sure you chase them up.
- My wife checks on our elderly neighbour every few days to make sure that he's alright.
- I'm not sure of the chronology of events.
- A bit of gentle coaxing is all that's required and he'll come, I'm sure.
- I'm sure my views on marriage are coloured by my parents' divorce.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Certainty
- (as) clear as day idiom
- (as) sure as eggs is eggs idiom
- and that's flat! idiom
- assured
- assuredly
- bet
- consider it done idiom
- cut and dried
- decided
- decidedly
- definite
- doubt
- indeed
- mistake
- natch
- pronounced
- proof positive
- seal
- set/put the seal on sth idiom
- shadow
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Confidence & self-assurance
Causing things to happen
Idiom(s)
(as) sure as eggs is eggs
(as) sure as hell
a sure thing
sure enough
sure thing
to be sure
sureadverb
uk/ʃɔːr/us/ʃʊr/informalA2 certainly:
"Do you want to come swimming with us?" "Sure."
mainly US "Will you help me with this?" "Sure I will."
US I sure am hungry.
US "I can't do it!" "Sure you can. I'll help you."
US said when someone has thanked you:
"Thanks for helping us out." "Sure, any time."
More examples
- Sure I'll help you.
- 'Are you coming to the park?' ' Sure!'
- 'Do you fancy a pizza?' 'Sure. Let's ask Andy too.'
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Certainty
- (as) clear as day idiom
- (as) sure as eggs is eggs idiom
- and that's flat! idiom
- assured
- assuredly
- bet
- consider it done idiom
- cut and dried
- decided
- decidedly
- definite
- doubt
- indeed
- mistake
- natch
- pronounced
- proof positive
- seal
- set/put the seal on sth idiom
- shadow
See more results »