a certain
idiom
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
Are people allowed to observe that the literary world is deliberately sidelining a certain demographic of writer -- and to do something about it?
—
Michael Washburn, National Review, 25 May 2025
The world is loud, full of opinions, expectations and pressure to follow a certain path.
—Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
Follow The Money Only Far Enough To Find The Game
There’s a certain kind of professional who doesn’t chase money for money’s sake.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
You’re kind of lulled along a certain direction in the story.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 23 May 2025
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Michael Washburn, National Review, 25 May 2025
The world is loud, full of opinions, expectations and pressure to follow a certain path.
—Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
Follow The Money Only Far Enough To Find The Game
There’s a certain kind of professional who doesn’t chase money for money’s sake.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
You’re kind of lulled along a certain direction in the story.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for a certain
Cite this Entry
“A certain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20certain. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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