| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024un•cer•tain•ty (un sûr′tn tē),USA pronunciation n., pl. -ties for 2.- the state of being uncertain;
doubt;
hesitancy:His uncertainty gave impetus to his inquiry. - an instance of uncertainty, doubt, etc.
- unpredictability;
indeterminacy;
indefiniteness.
- 1350–1400; Middle English uncerteynte; see un-1, certainty
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged hesitation, irresolution, indecision, ambivalence.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: uncertainty /ʌnˈsɜːtəntɪ/ n ( pl -ties)- Also called: uncertainness the state or condition of being uncertain
- an uncertain matter, contingency, etc
un•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
- 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.
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