Meaning and usage of the word sure in English

Meaning of vocabulary sure

sureadjective

chắc chắn, xác thực

/ʃʊə//ʃɔː/

Meaning of vocabulary <b>sure</b></b>

Origin of the word sure

The word "sure" has a fascinating etymology! The modern English word "sure" has its roots in Old English, where it was spelled "sor" or "sur". It derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*suriz", which meant "definite" or "certain". In Middle English (circa 1100-1500), "sure" evolved to mean "firm" or "steady", and was often used to describe physical objects or actions. For example, "sure ground" referred to solid, unshakeable land. Over time, the meaning of "sure" expanded to include emotional and spiritual connotations. By the 17th century, "sure" had become synonymous with "certain", "guaranteed", or "settled". Today, "sure" is a versatile word used in a wide range of contexts, from affirmations to confirmations.

Vocabulary summary sure

typeadjective

meaningsure

exampleit sure was cold

exampleI'm sure I didn't mean to hurt your feelings

meaningsure, reliable; careful

example'tis pleasant, sure, to see one's name in print

exampleto put something in a sure place

examplea sure shot: very steady hand, marksman

meaningreal, real

exampleto be sure she is not pretty

exampleso it is, to be sure!

typeadverb

meaning(US, American meaning), (slang) for sure

exampleit sure was cold

exampleI'm sure I didn't mean to hurt your feelings

meaning(archaic, archaic meaning) I admit

example'tis pleasant, sure, to see one's name in print

exampleto put something in a sure place

examplea sure shot: very steady hand, marksman

meaning(colloquial) certainly, without a doubt

exampleto be sure she is not pretty

exampleso it is, to be sure!

Example of vocabulary surenamespace

meaning

confident that you know something or that you are right

  • ‘Is that John over there?’ ‘I'm not sure.’
  • You don't sound very sure.
  • I'm pretty sure (that) he'll agree.
  • Are you sure you don't mind?
  • I’m sure he’s still alive.
meaning

certain that you will receive something or that something will happen

  • You're always sure of a warm welcome there.
  • We could not be sure of financial support.
  • England must win this game to be sure of qualifying for the World Cup.
meaning

certain to do something or to happen

  • The exhibition is sure to be popular.
  • It's sure to rain.
  • You’re sure to get lost if you don’t keep to the path.
  • She's sure to be picked for the team.
meaning

that can be trusted or relied on

  • It's a sure sign of economic recovery.
  • There's only one sure way to do it.
  • He is a sure bet for the presidential nomination (= certain to succeed).
  • I told my friends that our winning was a sure thing.
meaning

steady and confident

  • We admired her sure touch at the keyboard.

Words, synonyms, related vocabulary sure

Idioms of vocabulary sure

be sure to do something
used to tell somebody to do something
  • Be sure to give your family my regards.
  • Be sure to check out our website.
for sure
(informal)without doubt
  • No one knows for sure what happened.
  • I think he'll be back on Monday, but I can't say for sure.
  • One thing is for sure—it's not going to be easy.
  • ‘Will you be there?’ ‘For sure.’
a good/safe/sure bet
something that is likely to happen, to succeed or to be suitable
  • He's a good bet to earn a spot on the US team.
  • Clothes are a safe bet as a present for a teenager.
  • The movie looks like a sure bet for Best Film.
make sure (of something/that…)
to do something in order to be certain that something else happens
  • Make sure (that) no one finds out about this.
  • They scored another goal and made sure of victory.
  • Our staff will do their best to make sure you enjoy your visit.
  • To make doubly sure they would not be disturbed she turned the key in the lock.
to check that something is true or has been done
  • She looked around to make sure that she was alone.
  • I think the door's locked, but I'll just go and make sure.
sure of yourself
(sometimes disapproving)very confident
  • She seems very sure of herself.
sure thing
(informal, especially North American English)used to say ‘yes’ to a suggestion or request
  • ‘Are you coming?’ ‘Sure thing.’
to be sure
(formal)used to admit that something is true
  • He is intelligent, to be sure, but he's also very lazy.

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