释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024un•cer•tain /ʌnˈsɜrtən/USA pronunciation adj. - not known precisely;
not fixed:The size of the deficit is uncertain. - not confident or assured;
hesitant:an uncertain smile. - not clearly determined;
unknown:a manuscript of uncertain origin. - likely to change;
unstable:The weather pattern for the next few days is uncertain. un•cer•tain•ly, adv. un•cer•tain•ty, n., pl. -ties. [uncountable]He showed uncertainty of manner.[countable]life's uncertainties. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024un•cer•tain (un sûr′tn),USA pronunciation adj. - 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.
- 1250–1300; Middle English; see un-1, certain
un•cer′tain•ly, adv. un•cer′tain•ness, n. - 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged unsure, unpredictable. 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.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged unsettled, undetermined.
- 8.See corresponding entry in Unabridged irregular.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: uncertain /ʌnˈsɜːtən/ adj - not able to be accurately known or predicted: the issue is uncertain
- when postpositive, often followed by of: not sure or confident (about): a man of uncertain opinion
- not precisely determined, established, or decided: uncertain plans
- not to be depended upon; unreliable: an uncertain vote
- liable to variation; changeable: the weather is uncertain
- in no uncertain terms ⇒ unambiguously
- forcefully
unˈcertainly adv |