Sure: Meaning, Pronunciation, and Usage

Meaning 1：certain (sure)

sure 🔊

/ʃʊr/

adj., adv., interj.

Feeling certain and confident about something, having no doubt.

Confident person giving thumbs-up gesture illustrating sure meaning

certain 🔊

➕

/ˈsɜːrtn/

adj., adv., interj.

Feeling confident and without doubt; having a firm belief in something's truth or reliability.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'securus' (se- 'without' + cura 'care'), via Old French 'seür'. Originally meant 'free from care'.

💡 Mnemonic

S-U-R-E: Stop, Understand, Reason, Evaluate — four steps to feel certain before deciding.

📖 Example

I am sure I locked the front door before leaving for my trip. 🔊 I am certain that I locked the front door before I left for my trip.

🔗 Collocations

sure of something – completely confident about something

make sure – to take action to confirm or ensure something

for sure – definitely or without doubt

🔄 Synonyms

certain (adj.) – Having no doubt; knowing something is true.

confident (adj.) – Feeling sure of one's abilities or correctness.

positive (adj.) – Completely sure that something is true.

🚫 Antonyms

uncertain (adj.) – Not sure; having doubt or hesitation.

doubtful (adj.) – Feeling or showing uncertainty.

unsure (adj.) – Lacking confidence or certainty.

🌱 Derivatives

surely (adv.) – In a confident or certain manner.

sureness (n.) – The quality of being certain or confident.

assure (v.) – To tell someone something positively to remove doubt.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'sure' evolved from Latin 'securus' (secure) through Old French. In modern English, it is a common expression of certainty, often used in everyday conversation to confirm plans or agreements.