uncertain

adjective

un·​cer·​tain ˌən-ˈsər-tᵊn How to pronounce uncertain (audio)
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
uncertainly adverb
uncertainness noun

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 on the Web The brother of Stefanie Smith — the 41-year-old woman who suddenly died after falling ill on an American Airlines flight from the Dominican Republic last week — shares how the family is still uncertain about what caused her death. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 But a path forward for Haiti is uncertain amid the alliances of armed gangs leveraging the power vacuum to solidify control. Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 But the uncertain Western cash flow to Ukraine has forced a broad belt-tightening, even as Russia’s invasion grinds into its third year and Russian forces go on the offensive. Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Mar. 2024 However, the lingering Lake Tahoe blizzard made timing for their returns home uncertain. Sacramento Bee, 3 Mar. 2024 But Americans have never lived with the Alabama court’s version of fetal personhood, so the court opened the door to an uncertain future. Emily Bazelon, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Other restaurants such as Paris Baguette and Great Harvest Bread Co. also appear to qualify for the carve-out, although the details remain uncertain ahead of the law’s debut. Daniela Sirtori-Cortina, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024 Given the current uncertain macroeconomic environment with high oil prices and elevated interest rates, could JPM see a strong jump? Trefis Team, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Apart from geopolitical rifts and an uncertain economic outlook, foreign companies and investors have grown increasingly wary of domestic political risks in China, including the possibility of raids and detentions. Diksha Madhok, CNN, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uncertain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncertain was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near uncertain

Cite this Entry

“Uncertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncertain. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

uncertain

adjective
un·​cer·​tain ˌən-ˈsərt-ᵊn How to pronounce uncertain (audio)
ˈən-
1
: not definite or fixed
an uncertain quantity
2
a
: not sure
uncertain of the truth
b
: not known for sure
an uncertain claim
3
: likely to change : not dependable
uncertain weather
uncertainly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on uncertain

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