a certain

phrase

1

—used to refer to a quality that is noticed but that is difficult to explain or describe

She has a certain elegance about her.

The house has a certain charm.

2

formal

—used with the name of a person one does not know

In 1889, a certain Mr. Kelly made a large donation to the church.

Examples of a certain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As the commission moved toward a vote on the plan, there was a certain resignation among the ballroom skeptics, who knew that they were outnumbered. — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

There’s a certain level of performance those guys have operated at for a long time and it’s been very successful. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026

The sound of the transfer window closing always brings a certain relief. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

The dress consisted of a few pieces stitched together, each featuring a certain biological function. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for a certain

• uncertain
• bertin
• curtain