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

Courtesy of Airbnb / OA (OddAtelier) Entertainment Superstardom at JENNIE’s scale requires a certain distance, but for three nights this September, a lucky handful of travelers can get close by booking an Airbnb. — Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Exact qualifications can vary by lender, but most companies require the primary borrower to make a certain number of on-time payments, meet basic credit and income requirements, and apply for the release. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Even with the team then languishing at 51-74 at the time, Pasquantino conveyed a certain sense of urgency. — Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026

Urushadze presents a sympathetic portrait of Niaz, a man who once embodied a certain type of swaggering masculinity but now seems adrift in the modern world. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for a certain

• uncertain
• bertin
• curtain