Certainty: meaning, definitions and examples

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certainty

[ˈsəːt(ə)nti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling

Firm conviction that something is the case, unwavering confidence.

Synonyms

assurance, certitude, confidence.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
certainty	Used when you are absolutely sure about something and there is no doubt. She answered the question with certainty The team played with a sense of certainty
confidence	Commonly used to describe a feeling of self-assurance arising from one's own abilities or qualities. She walked into the room with confidence His confidence in public speaking improved through practice
assurance	Often used in situations involving promises, guarantees, or when you want to comfort someone. He gave us assurance that the project would be completed on time She expressed assurance in her team's ability
certitude	Used in more formal or philosophical contexts to describe absolute certainty or belief. The philosopher spoke with certitude about the existence of the soul His certitude was evident in the way he presented his arguments

Examples of usage

I have no certainty that he will come.
She expressed certainty that the project would be successful.
With certainty, I can say that he is the best candidate for the job.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

probability

The state of being reliably true or accurate, high likelihood.

Synonyms

accuracy, reliability, sureness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
certainty	Use this word to describe a situation where something is completely true, without any doubt. I have complete certainty that she will be there tomorrow. There is no certainty in life, except for death and taxes.
reliability	Use this word to describe the dependability or consistency of a person, product, or system. The reliability of this car makes it a popular choice. You need to show reliability if you want to be trusted on this project.
sureness	This word describes confidence in oneself or in the outcome of a situation. His sureness about winning the match was evident. She spoke with such sureness that everyone believed her.
accuracy	This word is best used when talking about the precision or correctness of information, data or processes. The accuracy of his measurements is impressive. To ensure accuracy, double-check your calculations.

Examples of usage

There is a high degree of certainty that the experiment will yield positive results.
The certainty of his prediction surprised everyone.
The certainty of her victory in the competition was unquestionable.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

legal

The quality of being reliably true or accurate, especially in a court of law.

Synonyms

authenticity, credibility, validity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
certainty	Use this word when referring to being completely sure about something, often used in discussions about outcomes or knowledge. 'There is no certainty in life ' 'We have absolute certainty that our team will win '
validity	Use this word when talking about the soundness or logic of an argument, conclusion, or data. Commonly used in academic and legal contexts. 'The validity of the experiment's results is under review ' 'The court questioned the validity of the contract '
authenticity	This word is suitable for describing something genuine, real, or true, often used in the context of verifying the originality of objects, documents, or art. 'The museum ensures the authenticity of each artifact ' 'Her speech was praised for its authenticity '
credibility	This word applies when referring to the believability or trustworthiness of a person, source, or information. Often used in discussions about news, research, or someone’s reputation. 'The journalist's credibility was questioned after the incident ' 'This research paper has high credibility '

Examples of usage

The certainty of the evidence led to a quick resolution of the case.
The certainty of the witness statements was crucial for the trial.
The legal team aimed to establish certainty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Latin 'certus', meaning 'sure' or 'fixed', which reflects its meaning of assurance.
In English, it has been in use since the late 14th century, evolving from a sense of trust to absolute conviction.
The suffix '-ty' denotes a state, transforming 'certain' into a noun that describes the quality of being definite.

Philosophy

Philosophers like Descartes heavily emphasized certainty in knowledge, arguing that certain truths could be established as foundations for further understanding.
In epistemology, the study of knowledge, certainty is often contrasted with doubt, showcasing the human struggle to know anything with absolute assurance.
The concept also raises questions such as 'What can we really be certain about?' leading to discussions around skepticism.

Science

In statistics, 'certainty' is often quantified, with a higher confidence level indicating greater certainty in predictions and conclusions drawn from data.
Quantum mechanics challenges traditional notions of certainty, as the behavior of particles can often only be predicted in terms of probabilities rather than certainties.
The scientific method relies on repeatability and verifiability to establish certainty regarding hypotheses and theories.

Psychology

Psychological studies show that a sense of certainty can enhance decision-making but may also lead to overconfidence bias, where individuals become too sure of their judgments.
Humans generally seek certainty as a way to reduce anxiety, with uncertainty often linked to stress and discomfort.
Research in cognitive psychology also investigates how people assign certainty to their beliefs and perceptions, affecting their behavior and responses.

Cultural References

In literature, themes of certainty and doubt are explored in works such as Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', showcasing characters wrestling with their convictions.
Movies often depict character arcs where individuals seek certainty in their lives, revealing the dramatic tension between known and unknown outcomes.
Certain songs and poems express the universal human desire for security and assurance, resonating deeply across cultures and eras.

Translations

Translations of the word "certainty" in other languages:

🇵🇹 certeza

🇮🇳 निश्चितता

🇩🇪 Gewissheit

🇮🇩 kepastian

🇺🇦 впевненість

🇵🇱 pewność

🇯🇵 確実性 (かくじつせい)

🇫🇷 certitude

🇪🇸 certeza

🇹🇷 kesinlik

🇰🇷 확실성 (hwaksilseong)

🇸🇦 يقين (yaqīn)

🇨🇿 jistota

🇸🇰 istota

🇨🇳 确定性 (quèdìngxìng)

🇸🇮 gotovost

🇮🇸 viss

🇰🇿 сенімділік

🇬🇪 დარწმუნებულობა (darʒmunebuloba)

🇦🇿 əminlik

🇲🇽 certeza

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,486, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

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4483 flux
4484 expanding
4485 hired
4486 certainty
4487 physically
4488 bow
4489 restriction
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