english
1
general::
adj. VERBS be, feel, look, seem Digby looked certain to be the next president. | become, grow I grew more and more certain that she was lying to me. | make Make certain that you lock the door if you go out. ADV. very | absolutely, quite | by no means It's by no means certain that she'll get the job. | almost | fairly, pretty PREP. about/of Are you quite certain about this? PHRASES can't/couldn't say for certain I think she's a teacher, but I couldn't say for certain. | not know for certain I don't know for certain how many people are coming.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
2
general::
certain
if something is certain, you are completely sure that it will happen or is true:
• Success seems certain. • It is almost certain that there will be a change of government. • Nobody knows exactly who built the manor, but it is certain that an architect called John Sturges supplied the drawings.
definite
if something is definite, it is certain because someone has officially stated that it will happen, is true etc:
• I hope you can give me a definite answer soon. • The wedding will be next summer but a definite date has not been arranged yet. • I’ve got a good chance of getting the job, but it’s not definite yet.
inevitable
if something, especially something bad, is inevitable, it is certain to happen and you cannot do anything to prevent it:
• War now seems inevitable. • It was inevitable that he would find out her secret sooner or later. • Facial wrinkles are the inevitable result of aging.
be bound to
if something is bound to happen, it is very likely to happen, especially because that is what usually happens in that kind of situation. Be bound to is less formal than certain and is very common in everyday spoken English:
• The kids are bound to be hungry when they get home – they always are. • My car broke down today. It was bound to happen sooner or later.
be assured of something
formal to be certain to get something good, or to be successful:
• After the success of its recent single, the band is now assured of a contract with a major record company. • He is is virtually assured of becoming the next prime minister. • Our clients are assured of comfortable accommodation and the attention of our trained staff.
something is a foregone conclusion
if something is a foregone conclusion, its result is certain even though it has not happened yet:
• They were winning by such a large margin that victory seemed to be a foregone conclusion. • Party members believe it is a foregone conclusion that he will resign.
Longman-Thesaurus
3
general::
adj.
definite:
He faced certain death.
adj.
positive:
He is certain he is right.
adj.
definite:
They want a certain person.
Simple Definitions
4
general::
see FOR CERTAIN.
American Heritage Idioms
5
general::
certain
phrases
it seems certain that …
• It seemed certain that the other team would win.
somebody seems/looks/appears certain to do something
• For a while the whole project looked certain to fail.
something is by no means certain
(= not definite )
• Victory was by no means certain for Smith.
something is far from certain
(= not definite )
• Success is far from certain.
adverbs
fairly certain
• Opposition to the changes is fairly certain.
almost/virtually certain
• It is almost certain that she will be given a prison sentence. • Prices are virtually certain to increase.
nouns
certain death
• If they stayed in the war zone, they faced almost certain death.
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