uncertainty
gb/ʌnsˈɚtənti/ us/ʌnsˈɚtənti/
B1
English
~ 3000
bizonytalanság
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s uncertainty about [something]
There is a lot of uncertainty about the company's future.
Nagy a bizonytalanság a vállalat jövőjét illetően.
Her uncertainty about the test results made her anxious.
A teszt eredményeivel kapcsolatos bizonytalansága szorongóvá tette.
The weather forecast is full of uncertainty this week.
Economic uncertainty has slowed down investments.
He spoke with uncertainty, unsure of the facts.
Learner examples
I feel uncertainty about my job.
Bizonytalanságot érzek a munkámmal kapcsolatban.
There is uncertainty in the market.
Bizonytalanság van a piacon.
She has uncertainty about the plan.
Uncertainty makes him nervous.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'uncertainty' with 'insecurity'; 'insecurity' usually refers to a lack of confidence in oneself, not just lack of knowledge.
Meaning
state of not being sure
Collocations
feeling of uncertainty
|level of uncertainty
|uncertainty about the future
|uncertainty remains
|reduce uncertainty
Synonyms
doubt (Often used for questioning truth or reliability, sometimes more personal or emotional than 'uncertainty'.)
|
indecision (Focuses on difficulty making choices rather than lack of knowledge.)
Antonyms
certainty (Direct opposite; complete confidence or knowledge about something.)
|
confidence (Positive belief in an outcome or fact, removing doubt.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|decision-making
|core_vocabulary
Definition
When you do not know what will happen or what is true.
The state of being unsure or not having complete knowledge about something.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
uncertainty over [event/outcome]
Political uncertainty has discouraged foreign investment.
A politikai bizonytalanság elriasztotta a külföldi befektetőket.
There is uncertainty over how the court will rule.
Bizonytalanság van azzal kapcsolatban, hogyan dönt majd a bíróság.
Climate scientists warn of increasing uncertainty in weather patterns.
The war created economic uncertainty across the region.
Learner examples
There is uncertainty over the game result.
Bizonytalan, mi lesz a meccs eredménye.
Market uncertainty is high this year.
Idén nagy a piaci bizonytalanság.
We face uncertainty because of the storm.
Uncertainty over the law makes people worry.
Meaning
situation with unpredictable result
Collocations
political uncertainty
|market uncertainty
|uncertainty over elections
|climate uncertainty
Synonyms
risk (Implies potential for loss or harm along with unpredictability.)
|
volatility (Often used in financial contexts to describe rapid changes and unpredictability.)
Antonyms
stability (A steady and predictable condition.)
|
predictability (The quality of being able to be predicted or expected.)
Themes
business
|science
|risk
|core_vocabulary
Definition
When no one can know for sure what will happen next.
A situation in which the result or outcome cannot be predicted with confidence.
Grammar
Dictionary form
uncertainty
IPA
GB/ʌnsˈɚtənti/
US/ʌnsˈɚtənti/
Syllables & stress
un - cer - tainty (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cer)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: uncertainty
- Plural: uncertainties, uncertainty
Word family
Expressions
in a state of uncertainty
1/ˈɪn ə stˈeɪt əv ʌnsˈɚtənti/
fixed phrase
not knowing what will happen
Not sure what will happen or what is true.
Examples
- We are in a state of uncertainty until the results come back.
- She lived in a state of uncertainty during his long absence.
reduce uncertainty
1/ɹɪdˈus ʌnsˈɚtənti/
fixed phrase
make things more predictable
To make something less unknown or easier to predict.
Examples
- Better data can help reduce uncertainty in forecasts.
- Clear rules reduce uncertainty for businesses.
uncertainty principle
1/ʌnsˈɚtənti pɹˈɪnsəpəl/
fixed phrase
technical
physics limit on measurement accuracy
In physics, the idea that you cannot know both the position and speed of a particle exactly at the same time.
Examples
- The uncertainty principle is a key part of quantum mechanics.
- He explained how the uncertainty principle affects electron behavior.