English Lexicon

Uncertainty

/ʌnˈsɜː.tən.ti/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #2500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The state of being uncertain; doubt or lack of conviction.

    "There was a sense of uncertainty in the air as the team awaited the results."
  2. 2

    A situation or condition that is not known or predictable.

    "The uncertainty of the weather made planning the outdoor event difficult."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Late Middle English word 'uncertainte', combining the prefix 'un-' (not) with 'certain', which traces back to Old French 'certain' and ultimately Latin 'certus' (sure, settled). Over the centuries, the term evolved to denote a state of lacking definite knowledge, reliability, or predictability in various contexts.

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