The difference between Certain and Uncertain

When used as nouns, certain means something certain, whereas uncertain means something uncertain.

When used as adjectives, certain means sure, positive, not doubting, whereas uncertain means not certain.


Certain is also determiner with the meaning: having been determined but not specified.

Certain is also pronoun with the meaning: unnamed or undescribed members (of).

check bellow for the other definitions of Certain and Uncertain

  1. Certain as an adjective:

    Sure, positive, not doubting.

    Examples:

    "I was certain of my decision."

  2. Certain as an adjective (obsolete):

    Determined; resolved.

  3. Certain as an adjective:

    Not to be doubted or denied; established as a fact.

  4. Certain as an adjective:

    Actually existing; sure to happen; inevitable.

    Examples:

    "Bankruptcy is the certain outcome of your constant gambling and lending."

  5. Certain as an adjective:

    Unfailing; infallible.

  6. Certain as an adjective:

    Fixed or stated; regular; determinate.

  7. Certain as an adjective:

    Not specifically named; indeterminate; indefinite; one or some; sometimes used independently as a noun, and meaning certain persons; see also "one".

  1. Certain as a pronoun (with ''of''):

    Unnamed or undescribed members (of).

    Examples:

    "There where serious objections to certain of the proposals."

  1. Certain as a noun (with "the"):

    Something certain.

  1. Uncertain as an adjective:

    Not certain; unsure.

  2. Uncertain as an adjective:

    Not known for certain; questionable.

    Examples:

    "Tomorrow's weather is uncertain."

  3. Uncertain as an adjective:

    Not yet determined; undecided.

  4. Uncertain as an adjective:

    Variable and subject to change.

  5. Uncertain as an adjective:

    Fitful or unsteady.

  6. Uncertain as an adjective:

    Unpredictable or capricious.

  1. Uncertain as a noun (with "the"):

    Something uncertain.

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