unsure
gb/ʌnʃˈʊɹ/ us/ʌnʃˈʊɹ/
B1
Inglés
~ 8500
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
B1
property
1
not certain; having doubts
Not sure about something; having doubts in your mind.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] is unsure about [something]
Error frecuente:
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).
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
certain (Shows complete confidence or no doubt about something, the direct opposite of unsure.)
Colocaciones
unsure about the future
|unsure what to do
|unsure of the decision
|feel unsure
|left unsure
|remain unsure
Temas
emotions
|thinking
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- I'm unsure about the best way to answer this question.
- The company is still unsure what caused the problem.
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I am unsure about my plans for tonight.
- He is unsure what to say to his boss.
- 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.
unknown
B2
property
2
not confident in oneself
Not feeling confident about yourself or what you can do.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] is unsure of himself/herself/themselves
Error frecuente:
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"*).
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
confident (Describes someone who feels sure about themselves and their abilities, the opposite of being unsure in this sense.)
Colocaciones
unsure of himself
|unsure of herself
|quiet and unsure
|socially unsure
|still a little unsure
Temas
emotions
|personality
|social
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- He seemed shy and unsure of himself during the interview.
- As a new manager, she was initially unsure in her role.
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- She is very unsure of herself at parties.
- He feels unsure when he talks to new people.
- 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.
adjective
literary
C1
property
3
not firm, stable, or safe
Not safe or steady; likely to move or break.
Patrón de uso:
[something] is unsure under/for [someone]
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
unstable (More general and common for physical or figurative lack of stability; sounds more neutral and technical.)
Antónimos
secure (Emphasizes being firmly fixed or safe from movement or failure, the opposite of unsure ground or footing.)
Colocaciones
unsure footing
|unsure ground
|unsure steps
Temas
safety
|physical_world
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Ejemplos
- She climbed carefully, testing each rock for unsure footing.
- The ladder felt unsure beneath him, so he stepped down.
- They crossed the river on unsure stones that shifted under their weight.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The ground was unsure under his feet.
- She walked slowly on the unsure bridge.
- He held the rail because the steps were unsure.
Gramática
Expresiones
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.
Ejemplos
- 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.