noun
certainty
SUR-tuhn-tee/ˈsɜːrtnti/
Complete confidence that something is true or will happen.
She knows with certainty that the solid roof will keep off the rain.
Etymology
The quality of being “sure” or “assured” came to describe an inward state: full assurance of mind. Certainty here is confidence with doubt removed.
In context
despite what Mr Swinney said about the uncertainty over UK financing, the Scottish Government might be able to give farmers more confidence and certainty, so that they can plan for the future.
More examples
- He answered with complete certainty.
- There was no certainty about the outcome.
- We wanted evidence rather than confident assertions of certainty.
Forms
certainty
Similar words
- confidence
- May be strong without excluding every doubt.
- conviction
- Conviction emphasizes firmly held belief rather than absence of doubt.