adj · adv · intj · 20 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
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
/ʃɔː/pour–poor merger
/ʃʊə/without the pour–poor merger
British, Southern, Standard:/ʃoː/
Northern-Ireland, Scotland:/ʃʉɾ/
Northern-Ireland, Scotland:[ʃʉːɾ]
Northern-Ireland:/ʃʉɹ/
Northumbria:/ʃuːɐ/
Australian, New-Zealand:/ʃoː/
General-American:/ʃʊɹ/
General-American:/ʃɝ/cure–fir merger
General-American:/ʃɔɹ/pour–poor merger
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:SH UH1 R
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Physically secure and certain, non-failing, reliable.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
This investment is a sure thing.
The bailiff had a sure grip on the prisoner's arm.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Certain in one's knowledge or belief.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Are you sure to succeed, as polls say? —Well, I am at least certain of making it to the podium this time.
He was sure of being a finalist.
They aren't sure who will attend for sure.
You seemed sure that the car was his. Yeah. I’m not sure what is the point of spending hours and hours discussing this.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Certain to act or be a specified way.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Be sure to lock the door when you leave.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
Free from danger; safe; secure.
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
adj
Meaning 5
Betrothed; engaged to marry.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
Examples
c. 1513-1518 (probably date written, published after 1535) Thomas More, History of King Richard III The king was sure to Dame Elizabeth Lucy, and her husband before God.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
adv
Meaning 6
Without doubt, certainly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: modal
Examples
Sure he's coming! Why wouldn't he?
"Did you kill that bear yourself?" ―"I sure did!"
It sure is cold out
Isn’t there another way to do it? – Sure is, if you don’t mind going back home.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
adv
Meaning 7
Without fail, surely.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
intj
Meaning 8
Yes; of course.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
"Could you tell me where the washrooms are?" "Sure, they're in the corner over there."
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
intj
Meaning 9
Yes; I guess; you could say that; a weak or noncommittal positive response.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
"Do you like cats?" "Sure."
"Do you want me to put this in the garage?" "Sure, go ahead."
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
intj
Meaning 10
You're welcome; polite response to being thanked.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
"Thanks for helping me with that electrical fault." "Sure. Any time."
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
11
adjective
Meaning 11
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
felt certain of success
was sure (or certain) she had seen it
was very sure in his beliefs
sure of her friends
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: certain(p)
Antonyms: unsure
12
adjective
Meaning 12
certain to occur; destined or inevitable- Benjamin Franklin
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
he was certain to fail
his fate is certain
In this life nothing is certain but death and taxes
he faced certain death
sudden but sure regret
he is sure to win
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: certain
Antonyms: none provided
13
adjective satellite
Meaning 13
exercising or taking care great enough to bring assurance
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
be certain to disconnect the iron when you are through
be sure to lock the doors
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: certain
Antonyms: none provided
14
adjective satellite
Meaning 14
impossible to doubt or dispute
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
indisputable (or sure) proof
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: indisputable
Antonyms: none provided
15
adjective satellite
Meaning 15
reliable in operation or effect
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a quick and certain remedy
a sure way to distinguish the two
wood dust is a sure sign of termites
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: certain
Antonyms: none provided
16
adjective satellite
Meaning 16
physically secure or dependable
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a sure footing
was on sure ground
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
17
adjective satellite
Meaning 17
certain not to fail
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a sure hand on the throttle
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
18
adjective satellite
Meaning 18
infallible or unfailing
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a sure (or true) sign of one's commitment
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
19
adjective satellite
Meaning 19
(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a sure (or trusted) friend
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: trusted
Antonyms: none provided
20
adverb
Meaning 20
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, for sure, for certain, sure enough, sure as shooting
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From Middle English sure, seur, sur, from Middle French sur or Old French seür, from Latin sēcūrus (“secure”, literally “carefree”), from sē- (“apart”) + cūra (“care”) (compare Old English orsorg (“carefree”), from or- (“without”) + sorg (“care”)). See cure. Doublet of secure and the now obsolete or dialectal sicker (“certain, safe”). Displaced native Middle English wis, iwis (“certain, sure”) (from Old English ġewis, ġewiss (“certain, sure”)), as well as Middle English siker (“sure, secure”) (from Old English sicor (“secure, sure”)) with which it was cognate.
Across languages
Translations
184 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Arabic:
أَكِيد
(ʔakīd)
— certain, reliable
Armenian:
վստահ
(vstah)
— certain, reliable
Aromanian:
sigur
— certain, reliable
Asturian:
seguru
— certain, reliable
Basque:
seguru
— certain, reliable
Bulgarian:
си́гурен
(síguren)
— certain, reliable
Catalan:
segur
— certain, reliable
Chamicuro:
akachelo'ta
— certain, reliable
Chinese Mandarin:
確定 /确定
(quèdìng)
— certain, reliable
