Certainest: meaning, definitions and examples

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certainest

 

[ ˈsɜːrtənəst ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

highest degree

Certainest is the superlative form of certain, meaning most sure or most assured. It indicates the highest level of certainty regarding a fact or situation.

Synonyms

most definite, most positive, most sure.

Examples of usage

  • She was the certainest of all the candidates regarding her chances of winning.
  • In the debate, his arguments were the certainest, leaving no room for doubt.
  • Among the theories, the scientist believed her explanation was the certainest.
  • He felt the certainest about his decision after considering all factors.

Etymology

The word 'certain' comes from the Latin word 'certus', meaning 'sure' or 'fixed'. The superlative form 'certainest' follows the typical pattern in English morphology where the suffix '-est' is added to adjectives with one syllable or some two-syllable adjectives. It has evolved in the English language to express the highest degree of certainty. The development of the word reflects the broader linguistic trends of creating superlative forms to convey differences in degree. Over time, the use of 'certainest' has become more specialized, often used in contexts where precise confidence is required, such as in philosophy, science, and decision-making.