Phrase guide

make sure

verb · 5 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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1

verb

Meaning 1

To ensure that something specific happens, is done etc., or of something happening.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I'm going to make sure that I get to the interview on time.
  • I expected to be able to get to the interview on time, but I left home earlier than usual just to make sure.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To make oneself certain (of something, or that something is the case); to verify, to ascertain.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • When you leave, make sure you have locked the door behind you.
  • Make sure of your sources before you publish.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To feel certain of something; to be convinced.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To betroth.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

make a point of doing something; act purposefully and intentionally

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: make a point

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: act, move

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

36 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: zorgen — to verify
  • Dutch: opletten — to verify
  • Esperanto: certiĝi — to verify
  • Estonian: veenduma — to verify
  • Estonian: kindlustama — to verify
  • Finnish: varmistaa — to verify
  • French: s'assurer — to verify
  • German: sicherstellen — to verify
  • German: sichergehen — to verify
  • German: zusehen — to verify
  • Ancient Greek: ὁράω (horáō) — to verify
  • Italian: assicurarsi — to verify
  • Italian: accertarsi — to verify
  • Italian: sincerarsi — to verify
  • Italian: verificare — to verify
  • Kazakh: көз жеткізу (köz jetkızu) — to verify
  • Kazakh: тексеріп алу (tekserıp alu) — to verify
  • Manx: shickyree — to verify
  • Polish: upewniać — to verify
  • Polish: upewnić — to verify
  • Polish: upewniać się — to verify
  • Polish: upewnić się — to verify
  • Portuguese: certificar-se — to verify
  • Romanian: asigura — to verify
  • Russian: удостове́риться (udostovéritʹsja) — to verify
  • Spanish: asegurarse de — to verify
  • Spanish: cerciorarse — to verify
  • Spanish: velar por — to verify
  • Swedish: se till — to verify
  • Swedish: säkerställa — to verify
  • Ukrainian: впевня́тися (vpevnjátysja) — to verify
  • Ukrainian: впе́внитися (vpévnytysja) — to verify
  • Ukrainian: переко́нуватися (perekónuvatysja) — to verify
  • Ukrainian: перекона́тися (perekonátysja) — to verify
  • Ukrainian: пересві́дчуватися (peresvídčuvatysja) — to verify
  • Ukrainian: пересві́дчитися (peresvídčytysja) — to verify