Uncertain
[ʌn'sɜːt(ə)n;-tɪn] or [ʌn'sɝtn]
Definition
(adj.) ambiguous (especially in the negative); 'she spoke in no uncertain terms' .
(adj.) not established beyond doubt; still undecided or unknown; 'an uncertain future'; 'a manuscript of uncertain origin'; 'plans are still uncertain'; 'changes of great if uncertain consequences'; 'without further evidence his story must remain uncertain' .
(adj.) lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance; 'uncertain of his convictions'; 'unsure of himself and his future'; 'moving with uncertain (or unsure) steps'; 'an uncertain smile'; 'touched the ornaments with uncertain fingers' .
(adj.) not certain to occur; not inevitable; 'everything is uncertain about the army'; 'the issue is uncertain' .
(adj.) not consistent or dependable; 'an uncertain recollection of events'; 'a gun with a rather uncertain trigger' .
Typed by Betsy--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Not certain; not having certain knowledge; not assured in mind; distrustful.
(a.) Irresolute; inconsonant; variable; untrustworthy; as, an uncertain person; an uncertain breeze.
(a.) Questionable; equivocal; indefinite; problematical.
(a.) Not sure; liable to fall or err; fallible.
(a.) To make uncertain.
Typed by Floyd
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. [1]. Equivocal, doubtful, dubious, unsettled, indistinct, ambiguous, indefinite, questionable.[2]. Unreliable, insecure, precarious, problematical.[3]. Not sure, not confident.[4]. Irregular, unpunctual, capricious, desultory, fitful, variable, changeable, mutable, slippery, shaky, not uniform.
Checked by Annabelle
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Doubtful, dubious, questionable, fitful, equivocal, ambiguous, indistinct,variable, fluctuating,[See CERTAIN]
Checker: Nellie
Definition
adj. not certain doubtful: not to be depended upon: not sure of the result.—adv. Uncer′tainly.—ns. Uncer′tainness; Uncer′tainty state of being uncertain or doubtful: want of certainty: that which is uncertain.
Editor: Olivia
Examples
- It was therefore from the beginning a divided thing of uncertain power, a claim and an argument rather than a necessary reality. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Unsettled weather, a long journey, uncertain means of travelling, a disorganised country, a city that may not be even safe for you. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- He moved about a great deal, his life seemed uncertain, without any definite rhythm, any organic meaning. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- The third, those in which the efficacy of industry is either limited or uncertain. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The conception always precedes the understanding; and where the one is obscure, the other is uncertain; where the one fails, the other must fail also. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- I felt I ought to do it, for life is uncertain and I don't want any ill feeling over my tomb. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- She was uncertain in her mind, and not happy. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- I stopped to assure him that I had not done so in bad manners, but uncertain whether he might or might not like a job. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- But at that moment he dared not tell a lie, and he felt suddenly uncertain of his ground which he had trodden with some confidence before. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- In the greatest part of mechanic trades success is almost certain; but very uncertain in the liberal professions. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- And he who grovels in the world of sense, and has only this uncertain perception of things, is not a philosopher, but a lover of opinion only. Plato. The Republic.
- It is uncertain if his wife was much older, though tradition declares she was forty. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Her servants wondered at her directions, usually so sharply-cut and decided, now confused and uncertain. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- It is very uncertain when my interest might have got William on. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- I was so painfully uncertain whether it was my first duty to close my eyes, or to stop my ears, that I did neither. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Ryder stood glaring with a drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- Archer mentally shrugged his shoulders and turned the conversation back to books, where Winsett, if uncertain, was always interesting. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- As they grew they strained more and more at the feeble and uncertain link of shipping that joined them. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- I was very uneasy and very uncertain in my mind what to say or do for the best--so was Traddles, evidently. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Human conduct is irregular and uncertain. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- Consequently, there are induced lack of interest in the novel, aversion to progress, and dread of the uncertain and the unknown. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Again Arabella inclined her head, and looked uneasily round, as if uncertain whether to call for assistance. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- But it is so uncertain, when I may have it in my power to return, that I dare not engage for it at all. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- But now that it was a serious matter, she seemed uncertain and clumsy in her stroke, it was difficult to paddle swiftly. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- He looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to address. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- Presently he opened the room-door, and stood there uncertain whether to come in. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- War rages yet with the audacious Boythorn, though at uncertain intervals, and now hotly, and now coolly, flickering like an unsteady fire. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- There is one continuous behavior, proceeding from a more uncertain, divided, hesitating state to a more overt, determinate, or complete state. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Quite uncertain,' replied Lowten, winking at Mr. Pickwick, as the stranger cast his eyes towards the ground. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- They attempted, therefore, likewise, to excuse themselves; the weather was uncertain, and not likely to be good. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
Editor: Olivia