sure

Use sure in a sentence

adjective

The definition of sure is someone or something which is certain, trustworthy or always effective.

An example of sure is someone who's positive they're getting a job for which they interviewed.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"sure." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/SURE>.

APA Style

sure. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/SURE

sure

adjective

sur′er, sur′est

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

Origin of sure

Old French seur from Classical Latin securus: see secure

adverb

sur′er, sur′est

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

Informal of course; I understand; OK

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

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"sure." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/SURE>.

APA Style

sure. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/SURE

sure

adjective

sur·er, sur·est

Confident, as of something awaited or expected: I am sure we will win the game.
Impossible to doubt or dispute; certain: We have sure proof of his innocence.
a. Bound to come about or happen; inevitable: a sure victory for the team.
b. Having one's course directed; destined or bound: She is sure to succeed.
a. Certain not to miss, slip, or err; steady: a sure grip on the suitcase.
b. Not hesitating or wavering; firm: sure convictions.
a. Worthy of being trusted or depended on; reliable: a sure friend.
b. Free from or marked by freedom from doubt: She is sure of her friends.
Careful to do something: Be sure to turn off the stove.
Obsolete Free from harm or danger; safe.

adverb

Informal

Surely; certainly.

Origin of sure

Middle English from Old French safe from Latin sēcūrus ; see secure .

Related Forms:

sure′ness
noun

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"sure." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/SURE>.

APA Style

sure. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/SURE

sure

sure certain confident positive

These adjectives mean feeling or showing no doubt. Sure and certain are frequently used interchangeably; sure, however, is the more subjective term, whereas certain may imply belief based on experience or evidence: “Never teach a child anything of which you are not yourself sure” (John Ruskin). “In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes” (Benjamin Franklin). Confident suggests assurance founded on faith or reliance in oneself or in others: The senator is confident of reelection. Positive suggests full, emphatic certainty: The prosecutor had positive proof of the defendant's guilt.

See Also Synonyms at certain.

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"sure." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/SURE>.

APA Style

sure. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/SURE

Adjective

(comparative surer, superlative surest)

Physically secure and certain, non-failing, reliable.
This investment is a sure thing. The bailiff had a sure grip on the prisoner's arm.
Certain in one's knowledge or belief.
He was sure she was lying. I am sure of my eventual death. John was acting sure of himself but in truth had doubts.
Certain to act or be a specified way.
Be sure to lock the door when you leave.
Brome
I presume [...] that you had been sure as fast as faith could bind you, man and wife.

Adverb

(comparative more sure, superlative most sure)

(modal adverb) Without doubt.
Sure he's coming! Why wouldn't he?
"Did you kill that bear yourself? "•"I sure did!"

Usage notes

Often proscribed in favor of surely. May be informal.

Interjection

Yes, of course.

Origin

From Middle English sure, sur, from Middle French sur, from Old French seÃ¼r, from Latin sÄ“cÅ«rus (“secure", literally “carefree"), from se (“apart") + cura (“care") (compare Old English orsorg (“carefree"), from or- (“without") + sorg (“care")). See cure. Displaced native Middle English wis, iwis (“certain, sure") (from Old English Ä¡ewis, Ä¡ewiss (“certain, sure")), Middle English siker (“sure, secure") (from Old English sicor (“secure, sure")).