uncertainty
gb/ʌnsˈɚtənti/ us/ʌnsˈɚtənti/
B1
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
state of not being sure
When you do not know what will happen or what is true.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s uncertainty about [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'uncertainty' with 'insecurity'; 'insecurity' usually refers to a lack of confidence in oneself, not just lack of knowledge.
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.)
Collocations
feeling of uncertainty
|level of uncertainty
|uncertainty about the future
|uncertainty remains
|reduce uncertainty
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|decision-making
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There is a lot of uncertainty about the company's future.
- Her uncertainty about the test results made her anxious.
- 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.
- There is uncertainty in the market.
- She has uncertainty about the plan.
- Uncertainty makes him nervous.
Noun
B2
state
2
situation with unpredictable result
When no one can know for sure what will happen next.
Usage pattern:
uncertainty over [event/outcome]
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.)
Collocations
political uncertainty
|market uncertainty
|uncertainty over elections
|climate uncertainty
Themes
business
|science
|risk
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Political uncertainty has discouraged foreign investment.
- There is uncertainty over how the court will rule.
- 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.
- Market uncertainty is high this year.
- We face uncertainty because of the storm.
- Uncertainty over the law makes people worry.
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.