Phrase guide

for certain

prep_phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

definitely, positively, without doubt

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • We'll never be able to know for certain what happened.
  • I would go to that concert for certain.
  • - Would you buy one of those? - For certain.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

definitely or positively (`sure' is sometimes used informally for `surely')

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the results are surely encouraging
  • she certainly is a hard worker
  • it's going to be a good day for sure
  • they are coming, for certain
  • they thought he had been killed sure enough
  • he'll win sure as shooting
  • they sure smell good
  • sure he'll come

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: surely, certainly, sure, for sure, sure enough, sure as shooting

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.