uncertain

adjective un·cer·tain \ ˌən-ˈsər-tᵊn \

|Updated on: 7 Jul 2018

Examples: uncertain in a Sentence

Definition of uncertain

1 a : not known beyond doubt : dubious

an uncertain claim

b : not having certain knowledge : doubtful

remains uncertain about her plans

c : not clearly identified or defined

a fire of uncertain origin

2 : not constant : variable, fitful

an uncertain breeze

3 : indefinite, indeterminate

the time of departure is uncertain

4 : not certain to occur : problematical

his success was uncertain

5 : not reliable : untrustworthy

an uncertain ally

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uncertainly

adverb

—

uncertainness

play \ˌən-ˈsər-tᵊn-(n)əs\ noun

See uncertain defined for English-language learners

See uncertain defined for kids

Examples of uncertain in a Sentence

The time of departure is still uncertain.
We are still uncertain of the truth.
She remains uncertain about her plans.
I'm uncertain about how to respond.
The cause of the fire is uncertain.
He has an uncertain temper.
They face a financially uncertain future.

Recent Examples of uncertain from the Web

Testing the liens that anchor secured loans is a routine part of corporate bankruptcy, but such questions take on special urgency when unsecured creditors face an uncertain fate, as in the Gibson case.

— peg brickley, WSJ, "Creditors Probe Gibson’s Pre-Bankruptcy Dealings With Lenders," 29 June 2018
The outcome for Gordon’s free agency, of course, is uncertain.

— josh robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Aaron Gordon says he’ll do his ‘due diligence’ in restricted free agency," 29 June 2018
Not just because the audience was uncertain whether, at any moment, Mr Griffiths (pictured) might hurl a book or jump off the stage or produce a drum to beat out the rhythm of a line of poetry.

— The Economist, "Capturing the voice of a brilliant, unorthodox teacher of literature," 28 June 2018
The uncertain fate of the children, and wrenching reports of their plight, has created a political firestorm for the White House and a nightmare for the families affected.

— jazmine ulloa, latimes.com, "Trump administration says it won't return children to immigrant parents in custody, but a judge orders families be reunited," 27 June 2018
Whether this will be sufficient to overcome the country’s lack of a soccer – or even a sports – culture is uncertain.

— michael holtz, The Christian Science Monitor, "Soccer World Cup spurs Chinese sporting ambitions," 27 June 2018
The Goodlatte bill is not expected to garner the necessary votes needed to pass in the House, and lawmakers were uncertain Thursday whether the compromise bill would cross the finish line in the House.

— NBC News, "Hours ahead of House immigration votes, Trump questions point of passing the bills," 21 June 2018
Flow is often intermittent and the water quality is uncertain.

— Scientific American, "Puerto Rico’s Water System Stutters Back to Normal," 14 June 2018
Whether earlier intervention by IMPD supervisors would have averted some of the complaints against Perry or the shooting is uncertain.

— holly v. hays, Indianapolis Star, "8 complaints, 2 lawsuits, 1 shooting: Why one officer didn’t draw more IMPD scrutiny," 8 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'uncertain.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of uncertain

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 3

See Words from the same year

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uncertain Synonyms

Phrases

up in the air;

UNCERTAIN Defined for English Language Learners

uncertain

adjective

Definition of uncertain for English Language Learners

: not exactly known or decided : not definite or fixed
: not sure : having some doubt about something
: not definitely known

UNCERTAIN Defined for Kids

uncertain

adjective un·cer·tain \ ˌən-ˈsər-tᵊn \

Definition of uncertain for Students

1 : not exactly known or decided on

an uncertain amount

2 : not sure

They were uncertain of the rules.

3 : not known for sure

an uncertain claim

4 : likely to change : not dependable

uncertain weather

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uncertainly

adverb

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See words that rhyme with uncertain Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for uncertain Spanish Central: Translation of uncertain Nglish: Translation of uncertain for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of uncertain for Arabic speakers

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uncertain

Definition of uncertain

uncertainly

uncertainness

Examples of uncertain in a Sentence

Recent Examples of uncertain from the Web

First Known Use of uncertain

uncertain Synonyms

Synonyms

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UNCERTAIN Defined for English Language Learners

uncertain

Definition of uncertain for English Language Learners

UNCERTAIN Defined for Kids

uncertain

Definition of uncertain for Students

uncertainly

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