Phrase guide

to be sure

adv · 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

adv

Meaning 1

Certainly, undoubtedly, admittedly, surely.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Ireland, idiomatic, informal, not-comparable

Examples

  • I don't hate him. To be sure, we're not best buddies, but hate is a strong word.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

admittedly

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • to be sure, he is no Einstein

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: without doubt, no doubt

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Gothic: 𐌰𐌿𐍆𐍄𐍉 (auftō) — certainly, undoubtedly, admittedly
  • Hungarian: persze — certainly, undoubtedly, admittedly
  • Hungarian: kétségkívül — certainly, undoubtedly, admittedly
  • Hungarian: kétségtelenül — certainly, undoubtedly, admittedly
  • Hungarian: ugyan — certainly, undoubtedly, admittedly
  • Hungarian: éppenséggel — certainly, undoubtedly, admittedly
  • Latin: nempe — certainly, undoubtedly, admittedly
  • Polish: wprawdzie — certainly, undoubtedly, admittedly