sure
gb/ʃˈʊɹ/ us/ʃˈʊɹ/
A2
Anglais
~ 2300
Sens
0 sens
adjective
A2
property
1
Certain about something
Feeling certain that you are right or that something will happen.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] is sure (about/that) [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'sure' with 'secure'; 'secure' means safe or protected, not certain.
Synonymes
certain (Slightly more formal and less casual than 'sure'.)
Antonymes
unsure (Indicates lack of confidence or certainty.)
Collocations
absolutely sure
|pretty sure
|sure enough
|sure thing
Thèmes
daily life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Exemples
- I'm sure we locked the door before leaving.
- She’s sure that she left her phone on the table.
- Are you sure this is the right address?
- He seemed sure about his decision.
- They are sure the team will win.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I am sure this is my bag.
- She is sure she can swim.
- Are you sure you want tea?
- We are sure the shop is open.
- He is sure the answer is correct.
adjective
B1
property
2
Certain to happen or succeed
Something that will definitely happen or work.
Schéma d’usage :
a sure [thing/success/sign]
Synonymes
guaranteed (Stronger, more formal assurance than 'sure'.)
Antonymes
uncertain (Indicates doubt about the outcome.)
Collocations
sure sign
|sure bet
|sure winner
Thèmes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Dark clouds are a sure sign of rain.
- With her skills, she’s a sure winner in the competition.
- That plan is a sure way to fail.
- His victory seems like a sure thing.
- This medicine is a sure cure for headaches.
Exemples pédagogiques
- It is a sure sign of snow.
- This is a sure way to pass.
- He is a sure winner in the race.
- The dark sky is a sure sign of rain.
- This is a sure cure for a cold.
adverb
informal
A2
property
3
Without doubt or question
Used to show you agree or are certain about something.
Synonymes
definitely ('Definitely' sounds slightly more formal and emphatic than 'sure' in this use.)
Antonymes
maybe (Indicates uncertainty instead of agreement.)
Collocations
sure enough
Thèmes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Exemples
- 'Can you help me?' 'Sure.'
- 'Is it going to rain?' 'Sure looks like it.'
- You can borrow my bike, sure.
- Sure, I’ll come with you.
- They will win, sure enough.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 'Can I come?' 'Sure.'
- 'Do you like it?' 'Sure.'
- Sure, I can help you.
- Sure, I will go with you.
- Sure, that is fine.
adjective
B2
property
4
Safe from failure or harm
Safe and not likely to fail.
Synonymes
reliable ('Reliable' focuses more on trustworthiness over time.)
Antonymes
unreliable (Not dependable; may fail.)
Collocations
sure footing
|sure aim
Thèmes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- He climbed with a sure grip on the rope.
- The horse had a sure footing on the rocky path.
- She has a sure hand when painting fine details.
- This ladder provides a sure hold.
- He walked with a sure step.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The climber has a sure grip.
- The road gives a sure path.
- She paints with a sure hand.
- The horse has a sure step.
- He moves with a sure walk.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
sure
API
GB/ʃˈʊɹ/
US/ʃˈʊɹ/
Syllabes et accentuation
sure (1 syllabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (sure)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: sure
- Comparative: surer
- Superlative: surest
Famille de mots
Expressions
sure thing
1/ʃˈʊɹ θˈɪŋ/
fixed phrase
informal
Something guaranteed to happen or succeed; expression of agreement
Something that will definitely happen, or a way to say 'yes'.
Exemples
- It’s a sure thing they’ll win the game.
- 'Can you help me?' 'Sure thing.'
for sure
1/fɚ ʃˈʊɹ/
fixed phrase
informal
Without any doubt
Used to say that something is certain or definitely true.
Exemples
- I know for sure she was there last night.
- We’ll be there on time, for sure.
for sure
2/fɚ ʃˈʊɹ/
fixed phrase
informal
certainly; definitely
Without any doubt; yes.
Exemples
- I don't know for sure if he'll come.
- She's coming to the party, that's for sure.
make sure
1/mˈeɪk ʃˈʊɹ/
fixed phrase
ensure something is correct/done
To check that something is correct or has been done.
Exemples
- Make sure you lock the door before leaving.
- Make sure you lock the door before you leave.
- I want to make sure we have enough food.
- She made sure her phone was charged before the trip.
sure enough
1/ʃˈʊɹ ɪnˈʌf/
fixed phrase
As expected, without surprise
Used to say that something happened just as expected.
Exemples
- I thought it would rain, and sure enough, it did.
- Sure enough, he was late again.
- She said he’d forget, and sure enough, he did.