sure
sure
Pronunciation
sure /ʃʊər/
/ʃʊər/ - This word is typically a single syllable.
Word Form Variations
Adjective: sure (no variations for comparison, e.g., "surer" or "surest" are not common or standard)
Adverb: sure (e.g., "surely" is a common adverbial form, but "sure" itself can also function as an adverb)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Having no doubt; confident and certain about something.
Synonyms: certain, confident, convinced, positive, definite, assured
Antonyms: uncertain, doubtful, unsure, hesitant, dubious
Definition 2: Reliable or unfailing; bound to happen or be true.
Synonyms: reliable, dependable, guaranteed, inevitable, destined, unquestionable
Antonyms: unreliable, unlikely, improbable, doubtful
Definition 3: (Informal) Excellent or admirable.
Synonyms: great, fantastic, wonderful, superb, excellent, awesome
Antonyms: terrible, awful, dreadful, poor
Adverb
Definition 1: Certainly; without a doubt.
Synonyms: certainly, indeed, absolutely, definitely, undoubtedly, truly
Antonyms: uncertainly, doubtfully, possibly, maybe
Definition 2: (Informal) Yes; used to express agreement or affirmation.
Synonyms: yes, alright, okay, absolutely, certainly
Antonyms: no, never, impossible
Examples of Use
Books: "I was sure I had locked the door, but a creeping doubt began to gnaw at me." (From a mystery novel, general example)
Newspapers: "Economists are not sure when the next interest rate hike will occur, citing various market indicators." ( The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications: "Are you sure you're getting the best deal on your flight? Here are some tips to save." (Travel website article)
Entertainment Mediums (Film/TV): "Are you sure about that, detective? Because the evidence says otherwise." (Dialogue from a crime procedural, general example)
Entertainment Platforms (Music): "One thing's for sure, my love for you will never die." (Song lyric, general example)
Entertainment Platforms (Video Games): "Are you sure you want to equip this item? It cannot be unequipped later." (In-game prompt, general example)
General Public Discourse:
"I'm not sure what to order for dinner tonight." (Casual conversation)
"Make sure you remember your umbrella; it looks like rain." (Advice from a friend)
"For sure, that was the best concert I've ever been to!" (Enthusiastic agreement)
10 Quotes Using Sure
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." (Albert Einstein)
"All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure." (Mark Twain)
"Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." (Abraham Lincoln)
"Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure." (Confucius)
"Love is the answer, and you know that for sure; Love is a flower, you've got to let it grow." (John Lennon)
"Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times." (Martin Luther)
"You are the sum total of everything you've ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot - it's all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive." (Maya Angelou)
"If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding." (Sun Tzu)
"What I know for sure is this: You are built not to shrink down to less but to blossom into more." (Oprah Winfrey)
"That is one good thing about this world there are always sure to be more springs." (L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea)
Etymology
The word "sure" has a pretty straightforward family tree! It ultimately comes from the Latin word "securus." This Latin word literally meant "free from care" or "untroubled," and it's also where we get the English word "secure."
From "securus," the word traveled into Old French as "seur" or "sur." In Old French, it already had meanings like "safe," "secure," "undoubted," and "trustworthy."
English then borrowed "sure" from Old French during the Middle English period. The earliest known uses of "sure" in English date back to around the 13th century. At that time, its main meaning was "safe against attack" or "secure," meaning out of danger. Soon after, it also came to mean "reliable" or "fit to be depended upon" (around 1300) and then "mentally certain" or "confident" (mid-14th century).
So, essentially, "sure" started its journey meaning "free from worry or danger," and over time, it developed into the sense of being "certain" or "confident" that we use so much today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Sure
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "sure":
For sure: Definitely; without a doubt.
To be sure: Used for emphasis, often after a statement.
Make sure: To ensure something happens or is true.
Sure thing: An absolute certainty; also, an informal way to say "yes" or "you're welcome."
Sure enough: As expected; indeed.
Sure-fire: Certain to succeed.
Slow but sure: Progressing steadily and reliably.
Sure as eggs is eggs: Absolutely certain (a colloquial and somewhat dated idiom).
To make sure of something: To confirm or verify something.
Sure of oneself: Confident in one's own abilities or opinions.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of sure from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
