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⇱ uncertain - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

uncertain

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UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ʌnˈsɜːrtən/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ʌnˈsɝtən/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(un sûr′tn)


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
un•cer•tain /ʌnˈsɜrtən/USA pronunciation   adj. 
  1. not known precisely;
    not fixed:The size of the deficit is uncertain.
  2. not confident or assured;
    hesitant:an uncertain smile.
  3. not clearly determined;
    unknown:a manuscript of uncertain origin.
  4. 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 © 2026
un•cer•tain  (un sûr′tn),USA pronunciation adj. 
  1. not definitely ascertainable or fixed, as in time of occurrence, number, dimensions, or quality.
  2. not confident, assured, or free from hesitancy:an uncertain smile.
  3. not clearly or precisely determined;
    indefinite;
    unknown:a manuscript of uncertain origin.
  4. vague;
    indistinct;
    not perfectly apprehended:an abstruse novel with uncertain themes.
  5. subject to change;
    variable;
    capricious;
    unstable:a person of uncertain opinions.
  6. ambiguous;
    unreliable;
    undependable:Her loyalties are uncertain.
  7. dependent on chance or unpredictable factors;
    doubtful;
    of unforeseeable outcome or effect.
  8. 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. 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. unsettled, undetermined. 8. irregular.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
uncertain /ʌnˈsɜːtən/ adj
  1. not able to be accurately known or predicted: the issue is uncertain
  2. when postpositive, often followed by of: not sure or confident (about): a man of uncertain opinion
  3. not precisely determined, established, or decided: uncertain plans
  4. not to be depended upon; unreliable: an uncertain vote
  5. liable to variation; changeable: the weather is uncertain
  6. in no uncertain terms ⇒
    • unambiguously
    • forcefully
unˈcertainly adv
'uncertain' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Collocations: an uncertain [future, outlook, prospect], the [future] remains uncertain, [in, during] these uncertain times, more...

🗣️Forum discussions with the word(s) "uncertain" in the title:

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singular or plural （uncertain number）
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