certainty
gb/sˈɚtənti/ us/sˈɚtənti/
B1
English
~ 3700
bizonyosság, biztosra vehető, biztos dolog
NOUN
B1
1
bizonyosság
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] has certainty about [something]
She spoke with certainty about the results of the test.
Teljes bizonyossággal beszélt a teszt eredményeiről.
There is no certainty that the event will go ahead.
Nincs bizonyosság afelől, hogy az eseményt megtartják.
His certainty gave the team the confidence to continue.
I can say with certainty that he was there.
We cannot act on mere belief; we need certainty.
Learner examples
I am certain about my answer.
Biztos vagyok a válaszomban.
She said it with certainty.
Bizonyossággal mondta.
There is no certainty we will win.
He spoke with certainty about the plan.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'certainty' with 'certainty of' and omit the preposition when needed, e.g., 'I have certainty it will rain' instead of 'I have certainty of it raining'.
Meaning
complete confidence or sureness
Collocations
absolute certainty
|express certainty
|with certainty
|moral certainty
Synonyms
confidence (Often refers to a feeling of trust or belief, not always absolute.)
|
assurance (More formal; suggests a strong guarantee or promise-like feeling.)
Antonyms
doubt (Represents uncertainty or lack of confidence in something.)
|
uncertainty (Direct opposite; a state of not being sure.)
Themes
emotions
|thinking
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Being completely sure that something is true or will happen.
The state of being completely confident that something is true or will happen.
NOUN
B1
2
biztos dolog
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is a certainty
It’s a certainty that prices will rise next year.
Biztosra vehető, hogy jövőre emelkedni fognak az árak.
Her victory in the contest was a certainty.
Biztosra vehető volt, hogy megnyeri a versenyt.
Death is one of life’s few certainties.
Given his skills, promotion is a certainty.
The outcome was never in doubt; it was a certainty.
Learner examples
It is a certainty that we will leave tomorrow.
Biztos dolog, hogy holnap elindulunk.
Winning is not a certainty.
A győzelem nem vehető biztosra.
Death is a certainty for all people.
The train's arrival on time is a certainty.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'certainty' (noun) with 'certain' (adjective), leading to errors like 'It is certainy' instead of 'It is certain.'
Meaning
something sure to happen or true
Collocations
a virtual certainty
|political certainty
|economic certainty
Synonyms
inevitability (Emphasizes that something cannot be avoided.)
|
sure thing (Informal; emphasizes strong likelihood, often in casual speech.)
Antonyms
possibility (Indicates something might happen but is not guaranteed.)
|
risk (Suggests potential for an unwanted outcome instead of a guaranteed one.)
Themes
daily life
|planning
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something that will definitely happen or is definitely true.
A fact, event, or outcome that is sure to occur or be true.
Grammar
Dictionary form
certainty
IPA
GB/sˈɚtənti/
US/sˈɚtənti/
Syllables & stress
cer - tainty (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cer)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: certainty
- Plural: certainties, certainty
Word family
Expressions
dead certainty
1/dˈɛd sˈɚtənti/
fixed phrase
informal
absolute guarantee of truth or occurrence
Something that will happen or is true without any doubt.
Examples
- It’s a dead certainty they’ll win the match.
- Her success in the interview was a dead certainty.
moral certainty
1/mˈɔɹəl sˈɚtənti/
fixed phrase
formal
very strong belief without proof
Being almost sure about something, even without complete proof.
Examples
- The jury reached a verdict with moral certainty.
- He had moral certainty that the decision was right.
with certainty
1/wˈɪθ sˈɚtənti/
fixed phrase
in a completely sure way
In a way that shows you are completely sure.
Examples
- I can say with certainty that she was there.
- No one can predict the future with certainty.