Uncertain — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌən-ˈsər-tᵊn/ un·cer·tain

Meaning & Definition of Uncertain

Uncertain (adjective)

  1. not known beyond doubt, dubious
  2. not having certain knowledge, doubtful
  3. not clearly identified or defined

Uncertain (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly

    "the stifling heat would occasionally be relieved by an uncertain breeze"

    similar: capricious, changeable, changeful, fickle, flickery, fluctuating, fluid, inconsistent, inconstant, mercurial, mutable, skittish, temperamental, unpredictable, unsettled, unstable, unsteady, variable, volatile, up in the air
    related: aimless, arbitrary, desultory, erratic, haphazard, hit-or-miss, irregular, random, scattered, slapdash, stray, ambivalent, hesitating, shaky, shilly-shally, shilly-shallying, vacillating, wavering, dicey, undependable, unreliable, untrustworthy, adaptable, mobile, protean, versatile
    opposite: certain, changeless, constant, immutable, invariable, predictable, settled, stable, stationary, steady, unchangeable, unchanging, unvarying
    near: equable, even, uniform, abiding, durable, lasting, permanent, persistent, dependable, reliable, sure, tried, tried-and-true, true, trustworthy, trusty

  2. not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something

    "never uncertain of her political beliefs or judgment, she was a decisive and fearless leader"

    similar: distrustful, doubtful, dubious, hinky (slang), mistrustful, skeptical, suspicious, trustless, unconvinced, undecided, unsettled, unsure, on the fence
    related: ambivalent, conflicted, equivocal, diffident, insecure, halting, hesitant, indecisive, irresolute, vacillating, wavering
    opposite: certain, convinced, positive, sure
    near: assured, confident, sanguine, self-assured, decisive, determined, resolute

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Uncertain

The most common words with a similar meaning to Uncertain:

Slang: hinky
capricious, changeable, changeful, fickle, flickery, fluctuating, fluid, inconsistent, inconstant, mercurial, mutable, skittish, temperamental, unpredictable, unsettled, unstable, unsteady, variable, volatile, distrustful, doubtful, dubious, mistrustful, skeptical, suspicious, trustless, unconvinced, undecided, unsure, up in the air, on the fence

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Uncertain

Words with the opposite meaning of Uncertain:

certain, changeless, constant, immutable, invariable, predictable, settled, stable, stationary, steady, unchangeable, unchanging, unvarying, convinced, positive, sure

Related Words for Uncertain

aimless, arbitrary, desultory, erratic, haphazard, hit-or-miss, irregular, random, scattered, slapdash, stray, ambivalent, hesitating, shaky, shilly-shally, shilly-shallying, vacillating, wavering, dicey, undependable, unreliable, untrustworthy, adaptable, mobile, protean, versatile, conflicted, equivocal, diffident, insecure

Near Antonyms of Uncertain

equable, even, uniform, abiding, durable, lasting, permanent, persistent, dependable, reliable, tried, tried-and-true, true, trustworthy, trusty, assured, confident, sanguine, self-assured, decisive, determined, resolute

Word Forms of Uncertain

Derived words: uncertainly (adverb), uncertainness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Uncertain

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Uncertain

in no uncertain terms

Frequently Asked Questions about Uncertain

What does "Uncertain" mean?

"Uncertain" means not known beyond doubt, dubious. As an adjective, it is defined as: not known beyond doubt, dubious. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Uncertain"?

Other words for "Uncertain" include capricious, changeable, changeful, fickle, flickery, fluctuating, fluid and inconsistent. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Uncertain" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Uncertain"?

There are 66 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Uncertain". Common alternatives include capricious, changeable, changeful, fickle, flickery, fluctuating, fluid, inconsistent, inconstant and mercurial.

What is the opposite of "Uncertain"?

Antonyms of "Uncertain" include certain, changeless, constant, immutable, invariable, predictable, settled and stable. Near antonyms include equable, even, uniform and abiding.

How do you use "Uncertain" in a sentence?

Examples of "Uncertain" in a sentence: "the stifling heat would occasionally be relieved by an uncertain breeze"; "never uncertain of her political beliefs or judgment, she was a decisive and fearless leader".

Is "Uncertain" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Uncertain" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Uncertain"?

"Uncertain" is pronounced /ˌən-ˈsər-tᵊn/ and divided into syllables as un·cer·tain.

What is the origin of the word "Uncertain"?

First known use: 14th century.