certain

cer|tain1 [ `sɜrtn ] adjective ***

1. ) never before noun having no doubts that something is true: SURE:

I'm not absolutely certain, but I think I'm right.

certain (that): You can be pretty certain she's not going to like it.

certain who: We still can't be certain who is going to win.

certain of/about: I've never been more certain of anything in my entire life.

You don't seem too certain about it.

know/say for certain: I think I met her in 1985, but I can't say for certain.

─ opposite UNCERTAIN

2. ) definitely going to happen:

They face certain death if they are sent back to their home country.

Success is by no means certain.

be certain to do something: Interest rates seem certain to rise next month.

it is certain (that): It's not certain that this method would have worked.

certain of: Mexico is now certain of a place in the finals.

a ) definitely true:

One thing was certain: someone had been in his room.

b ) definitely known:

it is certain who: It's not yet certain who the driver of the car was.

make certain

to take action in order to be sure that something happens or be sure that it is true: MAKE SURE:

make certain (that): You should call the office to make absolutely certain everything is in order.

certain

cer|tain 2 [ `sɜrtn ] determiner **

used for referring to someone or something without being specific about exactly what or who they are:

Certain basic rules must be obeyed.

There are certain things we need to discuss urgently.

a. SPOKEN used for referring to someone or something without saying their name, when you know that the person you are talking to knows who or what you are referring to:

A certain person is going to be there, so you might not want to come.

a certain

1. ) some, but not very much:

Did she detect a certain smugness in his tone?

a certain amount of something: A certain amount of fat in your diet is good for you.

2. ) used for talking about someone when you know their name but nothing else about them:

The owner of the house, a certain Mr. Brady, was reportedly living abroad.

certain

cer|tain 3 [ `sɜrtn ] pronoun

certain of FORMAL

several specific people or things belonging to a larger group: SOME:

Certain of the criticisms made then are now widely accepted.