2 QUANT When you refer to certain of a group of people or things, you are referring to some particular members of that group. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] They'll have to give up completely on certain of their studies.
3 ADJ You can use a certain before the name of a person in order to indicate that you do not know the person or anything else about them. □ She managed to arrange for them to be hidden in the house of a certain Father Boduen.
4 ADJ You use a certain to indicate that something such as a quality or condition exists, and often to suggest that it is not great in amount or degree. □ That was the very reason why he felt a certain bitterness. SYNONYMS certain ADJ ➊1
sure: She was no longer sure how she felt about him.
positive: 'She's never late. You sure she said eight?'—'Positive.'
confident: I am confident that everything will come out right in time.
satisfied: People must be satisfied that the treatment is safe.
convinced: He was convinced that I was part of the problem.
cer|tain|ly ◆◆◇ /sɜː r t ə nli/
1 ADV You use certainly to emphasize what you are saying when you are making a statement. [EMPHASIS ] □ The bombs are almost certainly part of a much bigger conspiracy. □ Today's inflation figure is certainly too high. □ Certainly, pets can help children develop friendship skills.
2 ADV You use certainly when you are agreeing with what someone has said. □ 'In any case you remained friends.'—'Certainly.' □ 'You keep out of their way don't you?'—'I certainly do.'
3 ADV You say certainly not when you want to say 'no' in a strong way. [EMPHASIS ] □ 'Perhaps it would be better if I withdrew altogether.'—'Certainly not!' SYNONYMS certainly ADV 1
definitely: Something should definitely be done about that.
without (a) doubt: The refugees, without a doubt, are the most vulnerable.
undoubtedly: Hanley is undoubtedly a great player.
unquestionably: He is unquestionably a star.
cer|tain|ty /sɜː r t ə nti/ (certainties )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft with N , N that] Certainty is the state of being definite or of having no doubts at all about something. □ I have told them with absolute certainty there'll be no change of policy. □ [+ about ] If you buy from reputable dealers you have more certainty about what you're getting.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] Certainty is the fact that something is certain to happen. □ A general election became a certainty three weeks ago. □ [+ of ] …the certainty of more violence and bloodshed.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Certainties are things that nobody has any doubts about. □ There are no certainties in modern Europe.
cer|ti|fi|able /sɜː r t I fa I əb ə l/ ADJ If you describe someone as certifiable , you think that their behaviour is extremely unreasonable or foolish. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …if he can convince the committee that he is not certifiable.
cer|tifi|cate /sə r t I f I kət/ (certificates )
1 N‑COUNT A certificate is an official document stating that particular facts are true. □ …birth certificates. □ …share certificates.
2 N‑COUNT A certificate is an official document that you receive when you have completed a course of study or training. The qualification that you receive is sometimes also called a certificate . □ To the right of the fireplace are various framed certificates. □ …the Post-Graduate Certificate of Education.
cer|tifi|cat|ed /sə r t I f I ke I t I d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A certificated person has been awarded a certificate to prove that they have achieved a certain level or standard. [mainly BRIT ] □ …a genuine certificated physician.
cer|ti|fy /sɜː r t I fa I / (certifies , certifying , certified )
1 VERB If someone in an official position certifies something, they officially state that it is true. □ [V that] The president certified that the project would receive $650m from overseas sources. □ [V n] The National Election Council is supposed to certify the results of the election. □ [be V -ed as adj] It has been certified as genuine. □ [be V -ed adj] Mrs Simpson was certified dead. [Also V n adj, V n as adj] ● cer|ti|fi|ca|tion /sə r t I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ (certifications ) N‑VAR □ An employer can demand written certification that the relative is really ill.
2 VERB [usu passive] If someone is certified as a particular kind of worker, they are given a certificate stating that they have successfully completed a course of training in their profession. □ [get V -ed + as ] They wanted to get certified as divers. □ [V -ed] …a certified accountant. ● cer|ti|fi|ca|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Pupils would be offered training leading to the certification of their skill in a particular field.
cer|ti|tude /sɜː r t I tjuːd, [AM ] -tuːd/ (certitudes ) N‑UNCOUNT [oft N that] Certitude is the same as certainty . [FORMAL ] □ We have this definite certitude that Cicippio will be freed.
cer|vi|cal /sɜː r v I k ə l, sə r va I k ə l/