Main Entry: ¹cer·tain

Pronunciation: \ˈsər-t^ən\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *certanus, from Latin certus, from past participle of cernere to sift, discern, decide; akin to Greek krinein to separate, decide, judge, Old Irish criathar sieve

Date: 13th century

1 : fixed, settled <a certain percentage of the profit>
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>

synonyms see sure

— for certain : as a certainty : assuredly <the cause is not known for certain>

— of a certain age : of a somewhat advanced age : no longer young <remembered by people of a certain age>