certitude

noun

cer·​ti·​tude ˈsər-tə-ˌtüd 

also -ˌtyüd

plural certitudes

1

: the state of being or feeling certain

2

: certainty of act or event

3

: something that is certain : certainty

In the United States, death is feared. … Though it is a certitude that we all must deal with someday …

—Anne M. Johnson

Synonyms of certitude

• certainty
• assurance
• confidence
• conviction

Choose the Right Synonym for certitude

certainty, certitude, conviction mean a state of being free from doubt.

certainty and certitude are very close; certainty may stress the existence of objective proof,

claims that cannot be confirmed with scientific certainty

while certitude may emphasize a faith in something not needing or not capable of proof.

believes with certitude in an afterlife

conviction applies especially to belief strongly held by an individual.

holds firm convictions on every issue

Examples of certitude in a Sentence

believes with certitude that he is the best candidate for the job

Recent Examples on the Web

The uncertainty that’s always defined the oil sector, along with even greater uncertainty about the location of oil, calls into question the certitude of Dr. Rockstrom. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Perhaps speaking in the harsh style of the prophets gave him an unearned moral certitude. —Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025

That tug-and-pull conflict between them exemplifies how adults invalidate children’s perspectives, assuming that their age has granted them unquestionable certitude. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 11 Dec. 2025

In an era where optimism can be hard to come by, the professed certitude of imminent environmental apocalypse is pretty much the least helpful thing imaginable. —MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin certitudo, from Latin certus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for certitude

• altitude
• amplitude
• aptitude
• attitude
• barbecued
• desuetude
• devalued
• finitude
• fortitude
• gratitude
• interlude
• interviewed

Kids Definition

certitude

noun

cer·​ti·​tude ˈsərt-ə-ˌt(y)üd 

: certainty