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Uncertainty: meaning, definitions and examples

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uncertainty

 

[ ʌnˈsɜːrtənti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

feeling of doubt

Uncertainty is the state of being unsure about something. It involves a lack of confidence or knowledge in a particular situation. Uncertainty can lead to anxiety and indecision.

Synonyms

ambiguity, doubt, indecision.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
uncertainty

Used when lacking clear information or a definite outcome, commonly in formal or general contexts.

  • The uncertainty of the weather makes it difficult to plan outdoor events.
  • There's a lot of uncertainty about the future of the economy.
doubt

Best used when expressing a feeling of not being sure about something, often in a personal or emotional context.

  • I have serious doubts about their ability to complete the project.
  • She couldn't hide her doubt about the new plan.
indecision

Applied when someone is unable to make a decision, highlighting hesitation or wavering.

  • His indecision is frustrating the team members.
  • After much indecision, she finally chose a dress.
ambiguity

Suitable when something can be understood or interpreted in more than one way, often highlighting confusion or multiple meanings.

  • The ambiguity of his statements left everyone puzzled.
  • Legal documents must be clear and free of ambiguity.

Examples of usage

  • I'm feeling uncertainty about my future career path.
  • The uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the election is causing tension.
  • She hesitated due to the uncertainty of the situation.
Context #2 | Noun

lack of predictability

Uncertainty can also refer to the lack of predictability in a situation. It means that the outcome is not known or cannot be determined with confidence.

Synonyms

instability, unpredictability, volatility.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
uncertainty

Commonly used to describe a general state of not knowing what will happen or lacking confidence in something.

  • The uncertainty about the new policy left everyone anxious
  • Due to the uncertainty of the weather, we decided to cancel the picnic
unpredictability

Used when highlighting the difficulty in forecasting what will happen due to the complexity or randomness of the situation.

  • The unpredictability of the stock market makes it risky for inexperienced investors
  • Her unpredictability keeps everyone on their toes, as you never know what she will do next
instability

Refers to a state of being unstable or prone to sudden change, often with a negative connotation.

  • The political instability in the country has led to widespread protests
  • Economic instability can cause significant stress in both businesses and individuals
volatility

Typically used to describe a state of rapid and significant change, often in a negative way, especially in financial and political contexts.

  • The volatility of the cryptocurrency market can lead to huge gains or losses within a short period
  • Political volatility has made it difficult for businesses to plan for the future

Examples of usage

  • The stock market is facing uncertainty due to global economic conditions.
  • We are living in a time of great uncertainty.

Translations

Translations of the word "uncertainty" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incerteza

🇮🇳 अनिश्चितता

🇩🇪 Unsicherheit

🇮🇩 ketidakpastian

🇺🇦 невизначеність

🇵🇱 niepewność

🇯🇵 不確実性

🇫🇷 incertitude

🇪🇸 incertidumbre

🇹🇷 belirsizlik

🇰🇷 불확실성

🇸🇦 عدم اليقين

🇨🇿 nejistota

🇸🇰 neistota

🇨🇳 不确定性

🇸🇮 negotovost

🇮🇸 óvissa

🇰🇿 белгісіздік

🇬🇪 უცნობობა

🇦🇿 qeyri-müəyyənlik

🇲🇽 incertidumbre

Etymology

The word 'uncertainty' originated from the Latin word 'incertitudo', which means 'doubt' or 'not being sure'. The concept of uncertainty has been studied in various fields such as philosophy, economics, and psychology. It plays a significant role in decision-making and risk assessment.

See also: certain, certainly, certainty, uncertain, uncertainly.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,670, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.