Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

make certain

idiom

Definition of make certain

: to do something or find out something so that one has no doubt about whether something is true, correct, will happen, etc.
  • Make certain (that) you lock the door when you leave.
  • We must make certain this doesn't happen again.
  • She made certain she thanked each of them for coming.

Word by Word Definitions

make play

  1. : behave, act

  2. : to begin or seem to begin (an action)

  3. : to cause to happen to or be experienced by someone

  1. : the manner or style in which a thing is constructed

  2. : brand

  3. : the physical, mental, or moral constitution of a person

See the full definition of make
certain play

  1. : fixed, settled

  2. : of a specific but unspecified character, quantity, or degree

  3. : dependable, reliable

  1. : certain ones

See the full definition of certain

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up make certain? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games