sure Hear it!

sure Definition

sure (s̸ho̵or)

adjective surer, sur·est

  1. Obsolete secure or safe
  2. that will not fail; always effective a sure method
  3. that can be relied upon; trustworthy a sure friend
  4. that cannot be doubted, questioned, or disputed; absolutely true; certain
  5. having or showing no doubt; positive; confident to be sure of one's facts
  6. that can be counted on to be or happen a sure defeat
  7. bound or destined to do, experience, or be something specified sure to be elected
  8. never missing; unerring a sure aim

Etymology: OFr seur < L securus: see secure

adverb surer, sur·est

  1. surely; inevitably
  2. certainly; indeed: an intensive, often used as an affirmative answer to questions

sure Related Forms
sure·ness noun
sure Idioms

for sure

certain(ly); without doubt

make sure

to be or cause to be certain

sure enough

Informal certainly; without doubt

to be sure

surely; certainly

sure* Synonyms

sure*

interj.

certainly, of course, by all means, positively, absolutely, but definitely; see also surely.

sure Synonyms

sure

modif.

  1. Confident

    positive, assured, convinced; see certain 1.

  2. Inevitable

    unfailing, unavoidable, indisputable; see certain 3, inevitable. See syn. study at certain.

for sure

certainly, for certain, without doubt; see surely.

make sure

make certain, determine, establish; see fix 4, guarantee 2, manage 1.

to be sure

of course, certainly, obviously; see surely.

sure Usage Examples

Preposition: about

  • bridal: You already have a wonderful wedding gift, but you aren't sure about bridal shower gift ideas.

Preposition: that

  • Hon: Mr. Hoon: I am sure that the hon.
  • everyone: Those meetings will have to make absolutely sure that everyone knows where everyone else is working.
  • no-one: You'd be wise to contact me first to make sure that no-one else is already translating the same language.

Preposition: as

  • hell: I didn't understand quantum theory before I entered the cinema and sure as hell didn't when I left.

Modifies a noun

  • everyone: We had to obviously speak to Volvo to make sure everyone clear about what had happened.
  • everything: Write clearly and make sure everything fits into the available space.
  • everybody: That is the key to beginning to deliver in practice on the four principles, which I'm quite sure everybody here supports.
  • no-one: One of the chief jobs of the Air Raid Wardens was to make sure no-one was showing a light.
  • sign: HTML formatted mails are a sure sign of junk.
  • nobody: I usually facilitate, which means keeping the conversation flowing, making sure nobody gets left out.

Used with adjective complement

  • make: You have to make sure they don't bite you.
  • feel: We may, however, feel pretty sure that what houses have to go will be fully replaced.

Infinitive complement

  • check: Be sure to check for any extra fees that the lender may be applying to the loan itself.
  • read: Updated January 29, 2004 Before you buy an eBook, be sure to read the FAQ page.
  • find: You are sure to find great products at great prices.
  • let: Sudoku fun welcomes suggestions for new features, be sure to let.. .
  • mention: In your advertising material, be sure to mention the number of years that you have been involved in this type of work.
  • remember: Worse than that, if you are the one cutting in, those that you are dissing are sure to remember you negatively.

Modifying Another Word

  • pretty: I'm pretty sure he won't have either.
sure Quotes

Be sure your sin will find you out.

—Bible (Old Testament)

God's mill grinds slow, but sure.

—Herbert, George

He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

—Bible (Old Testament)

The only reason so many people showed up at his funeral was because they wanted to make sure he was dead.

—Goldwyn, Sam(uel) originally  Schmuel Gelbfisz

Browse dictionary entries near sure

  1. surd
  2. surculose
  3. surcoat
  4. surcingle
  5. surcharged
  6. surcharge
  7. surcease
  8. surbased
  9. surbase
  10. Surat
  1. sure-enough
  2. sure-fire
  3. sure-footed
  4. sure thing
  5. surefire
  6. surely
  7. surety
  8. surety bond
  9. surf
  10. surf and turf