2
: of a specific but unspecified character, quantity, or degree
the house has a certain charm
3
a
: dependable, reliable
a certain remedy for the disease
b
: known or proved to be true : indisputable
it is certain that we exist
4
a
: inevitable
the certain advance of age
b
: incapable of failing : destined
—used with a following infinitive
she is certain to do well
5
: assured in mind or action
I am certain they are right
Examples of certain in a Sentence
Adjective
I'm fairly certain that I'll be on time.
a certain person told me that today is your birthday
Recent Examples on the Web
Charlotte Y. Levy, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2025
Its level of finesse invites certain comparisons to Tatiana, the glittering Lincoln Center restaurant run by Kwame Onwuachi, another chef asserting the haute-cuisine artistry of food born of Black cultures.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
Bloomberg reported last week that the Chinese government is considering lifting levies for certain medical devices and industrial chemicals like ethane.
—Arkansas Online, 3 May 2025
The recall was issued because of a labeling error, as certain bottles may contain undeclared allergens, including peanut, sesame, soy and wheat, the company said.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for certain
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Adjective
Trump is also pushing the school to dismantle certain student organizations, such as the Palestinian Solidarity Committee — not to be confused with the Poodle Shaving Club, which was founded with the sole mission of promoting Jewish life on campus.
—Charlotte Y. Levy, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2025
Its level of finesse invites certain comparisons to Tatiana, the glittering Lincoln Center restaurant run by Kwame Onwuachi, another chef asserting the haute-cuisine artistry of food born of Black cultures.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
Bloomberg reported last week that the Chinese government is considering lifting levies for certain medical devices and industrial chemicals like ethane.
—Arkansas Online, 3 May 2025
The recall was issued because of a labeling error, as certain bottles may contain undeclared allergens, including peanut, sesame, soy and wheat, the company said.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for certain
Cite this Entry
“Certain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/certain. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
certain
1 of 2 adjective
cer·tain
ˈsərt-ᵊn 
1
: fixed sense 1b
receive a certain share of the profits
2
: not to be doubted : known to be true
it is certain that diamonds are hard
3
: known but not named
a certain person told me
5
a
: sure to happen : bound to occur : inevitable
defeat was certain
b
: decided in advance by or as if by fate
the plan was certain to succeed
6
: assured in mind or action
feel certain they will come
certain
2 of 2 pronoun
: certain ones
certain of them attended
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