surefire

adjective

sure·​fire ˈshu̇r-ˈfī(-ə)r 

ˈshər-

: certain to get successful or expected results

a surefire recipe

Synonyms of surefire

• reliable
• sure
• fail-safe

Examples of surefire in a Sentence

The movie is a surefire hit with teenagers.

There is no surefire way to predict the outcome.

Recent Examples on the Web

While these tips can mitigate symptoms, there is no surefire way to prevent them altogether. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025

Simple Joys by Carter's Fleece Pants, 4-Pack Fleece is a surefire way to keep your babies and toddlers warm throughout the winter, and these pants are a shopper favorite, with more than 2,000 five-star ratings. —Madison Yauger, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025

But younger generations have started touting nontraditional investments like buying a Birkin bag or other collectibles as a surefire way to bring in extra bucks. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 25 Dec. 2025

That constant feeling of thirst is a surefire way to have a terrible flight. —Mariana Zapata, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for surefire

• acquire
• attire
• bonfire
• campfire
• ceasefire
• conspire
• desire
• enquire
• entire
• greenbrier
• gunfire
• homebuyer

Kids Definition

surefire

adjective

sure·​fire ˌshu̇r-ˌfī(ə)r 

: certain to get results