unsure
gb/ʌnʃˈʊɹ/ us/ʌnʃˈʊɹ/
B1
English
~ 8500
bizonytalan, nem biztos, nem magabiztos, ingatag
B1
1
bizonytalan
B1
nem biztos
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is unsure about [something]
I'm unsure about the best way to answer this question.
Nem vagyok biztos benne, hogyan lenne a legjobb válaszolni erre a kérdésre.
The company is still unsure what caused the problem.
A vállalat még mindig nem tudja biztosan, mi okozta a problémát.
She looked unsure of the time and checked her phone twice.
We were unsure whether we should cancel the trip.
Doctors remain unsure about the long-term effects of the drug.
Learner examples
I am unsure about my plans for tonight.
Nem vagyok biztos a ma esti terveimben.
He is unsure what to say to his boss.
Nem biztos benne, mit mondjon a főnökének.
They are unsure if the bus will come on time.
She feels unsure about changing her job.
We are unsure whether this is the right house.
Common mistake:
Learners often say *"I am unsure to go"* instead of *"I am unsure whether to go"* or *"I am unsure about going"*. Another common issue is overusing "unsure" where native speakers more often say "not sure" in casual speech (e.g. *"I'm not sure"* is more natural than *"I'm unsure"* in many everyday contexts).
Meaning
not certain; having doubts
Collocations
unsure about the future
|unsure what to do
|unsure of the decision
|feel unsure
|left unsure
|remain unsure
Synonyms
uncertain (Slightly more formal and common in writing, especially for facts or outcomes.)
|
not sure (Very common in everyday speech; slightly more informal and conversational.)
Antonyms
certain (Shows complete confidence or no doubt about something, the direct opposite of unsure.)
Themes
emotions
|thinking
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not sure about something; having doubts in your mind.
Not certain about something, often because you do not have enough information or have doubts.
B2
2
bizonytalan
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is unsure of himself/herself/themselves
He seemed shy and unsure of himself during the interview.
Az interjú alatt félénknek és bizonytalannak tűnt.
As a new manager, she was initially unsure in her role.
Új vezetőként kezdetben bizonytalan volt a szerepében.
The child was unsure around adults he didn't know.
I always felt unsure speaking English in front of native speakers.
He walked onto the stage looking nervous and unsure.
Learner examples
She is very unsure of herself at parties.
Bulikon nagyon bizonytalannak érzi magát.
He feels unsure when he talks to new people.
Bizonytalannak érzi magát, amikor új emberekkel beszél.
I was unsure on my first day at work.
The boy looked unsure in the big classroom.
They are still unsure in their new jobs.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with being unsure about a fact or decision. For example, *"I am unsure"* can mean you don't know something OR you lack confidence. To make the 'confidence' meaning clear, native speakers often add *"of myself / of himself / of herself"* (e.g. *"I'm unsure of myself in big groups"*).
Meaning
not confident in oneself
Collocations
unsure of himself
|unsure of herself
|quiet and unsure
|socially unsure
|still a little unsure
Synonyms
insecure (Stronger and more emotional; often suggests deeper or ongoing lack of self-confidence.)
|
self-conscious (Focuses on being very aware and worried about how others see you, especially in social situations.)
Antonyms
confident (Describes someone who feels sure about themselves and their abilities, the opposite of being unsure in this sense.)
Themes
emotions
|personality
|social
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not feeling confident about yourself or what you can do.
Lacking confidence in yourself, your abilities, or how you appear to others.
C1
LITERARY
3
ingatag
B2
bizonytalan
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is unsure under/for [someone]
She climbed carefully, testing each rock for unsure footing.
Óvatosan mászott, és minden sziklát kipróbált, hogy biztos támaszt ad-e.
The ladder felt unsure beneath him, so he stepped down.
Ingatagnak érezte maga alatt a létrát, ezért lemászott róla.
They crossed the river on unsure stones that shifted under their weight.
Learner examples
The ground was unsure under his feet.
Bizonytalan volt a talaj a lába alatt.
She walked slowly on the unsure bridge.
Lassan ment át az ingatag hídon.
He held the rail because the steps were unsure.
Common mistake:
This sense is rare and somewhat literary. Learners should normally choose words like *"unsafe"*, *"unsteady"*, or *"unstable"* instead of *"unsure"* when talking about physical things.
Meaning
not firm, stable, or safe
Collocations
unsure footing
|unsure ground
|unsure steps
Synonyms
unstable (More general and common for physical or figurative lack of stability; sounds more neutral and technical.)
Antonyms
secure (Emphasizes being firmly fixed or safe from movement or failure, the opposite of unsure ground or footing.)
Themes
safety
|physical_world
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
Not safe or steady; likely to move or break.
Not stable, firm, or secure, so that it may move, slip, or fail.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unsure
IPA
GB/ʌnʃˈʊɹ/
US/ʌnʃˈʊɹ/
Syllables & stress
un - sure (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (sure)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unsure
Word family
Expressions
unsure of oneself
1/ʌnʃˈʊɹ əv wˌʌnsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
lacking confidence; shy and hesitant
Not confident about yourself; shy and worried about how you seem to other people.
Examples
- As a teenager, she was very unsure of herself in social situations.
- He used to be unsure of himself, but now he speaks up in meetings.
- The new student looked unsure of herself on the first day of class.