1
ADJ
[ADJ
n] You use
certain
to indicate that you are referring to one particular thing, person, or group, although you are not saying exactly which it is. □
There will be certain people who'll say 'I told you so!'.
□
Leaflets have been air dropped telling people to leave certain areas.
2
QUANT
When you refer to
certain
of
a group of people or things, you are referring to some particular members of that group. [FORMAL
] □ [+ of
]
They'll have to give up completely on certain of their studies.
3
ADJ
You can use
a certain
before the name of a person in order to indicate that you do not know the person or anything else about them. □
She managed to arrange for them to be hidden in the house of a certain Father Boduen.
4
ADJ
You use
a certain
to indicate that something such as a quality or condition exists, and often to suggest that it is not great in amount or degree. □
That was the very reason why he felt a certain bitterness.
SYNONYMS
certain
ADJ
➊1
sure:She was no longer sure how she felt about him.
positive:'She's never late. You sure she said eight?'—'Positive.'
confident:I am confident that everything will come out right in time.
satisfied:People must be satisfied that the treatment is safe.
convinced:He was convinced that I was part of the problem.
cer|tain|ly
◆◆◇ /sɜː
r
t
ə
nli/
1
ADV
You use
certainly
to emphasize what you are saying when you are making a statement. [EMPHASIS
] □
The bombs are almost certainly part of a much bigger conspiracy.
□
Today's inflation figure is certainly too high.
□
Certainly, pets can help children develop friendship skills.
2
ADV
You use
certainly
when you are agreeing with what someone has said. □
'In any case you remained friends.'—'Certainly.'
□
'You keep out of their way don't you?'—'I certainly do.'
3
ADV
You say
certainly not
when you want to say 'no' in a strong way. [EMPHASIS
] □
'Perhaps it would be better if I withdrew altogether.'—'Certainly not!'
SYNONYMS
certainly
ADV
1
definitely:Something should definitely be done about that.
without (a) doubt:The refugees, without a doubt, are the most vulnerable.
undoubtedly:Hanley is undoubtedly a great player.
unquestionably:He is unquestionably a star.
cer|tain|ty
/sɜː
r
t
ə
nti/ (certainties
)
1
N‑UNCOUNT
[oft with
N
, N
that]
Certainty
is the state of being definite or of having no doubts at all about something. □
I have told them with absolute certainty there'll be no change of policy.
□ [+ about
]
If you buy from reputable dealers you have more certainty about what you're getting.
2
N‑UNCOUNT
[oft a
N
]
Certainty
is the fact that something is certain to happen. □
A general election became a certainty three weeks ago.
□ [+ of
]
…the certainty of more violence and bloodshed.
3
N‑COUNT
[usu pl]
Certainties
are things that nobody has any doubts about. □
There are no certainties in modern Europe.
cer|ti|fi|able
/sɜː
r
t
I
fa
I
əb
ə
l/ ADJ
If you describe someone as
certifiable
, you think that their behaviour is extremely unreasonable or foolish. [mainly BRIT
, INFORMAL
, DISAPPROVAL
] □
…if he can convince the committee that he is not certifiable.
cer|tifi|cate
/sə
r
t
I
f
I
kət/ (certificates
)
