Standard Lemma guide

sure-fire

adj · 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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1

adj

Meaning 1

Guaranteed to work or happen.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • That hat should be a sure-fire way to spot him in a crowd.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

certain to be successful

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a sure-fire way to get rich

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From sure + fire, originally used to denote the efficacy of firearms (rifles) to fire.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Spanish: seguro — Translations
  • Spanish: infalible — Translations