sure

1 of 2

adjective

ˈshu̇r How to pronounce sure (audio)
ˈshər,
 especially Southern  ˈshȯr
surer; surest
Synonyms of surenext
1
a
: marked by or given to feelings of confident certainty
I'm sure I'm right
b
: characterized by a lack of wavering or hesitation
sure brush strokes
a sure hand
2
: admitting of no doubt : indisputable
spoke from sure knowledge
3
a
: bound, destined
is sure to win
b
: bound to happen : inevitable
sure disaster
4
: careful to remember, attend to, or find out something
be sure to lock the door
5
: firmly established : steadfast
a sure hold
6
: reliable, trustworthy
a sure friend
7
obsolete : safe from danger or harm
sureness noun

sure

2 of 2

adverb

: surely
Sure vs. Surely: Usage Guide

Most commentators consider the adverb sure to be something less than completely standard; surely is usually recommended as a substitute. Our current evidence shows, however, that sure and surely have become differentiated in use. Sure is used in much more informal contexts than surely. It is used as a simple intensive

I can never know how much I bored her, but, be certain, she sure amused me —Norman Mailer

and, because it connotes strong affirmation, it is used when the speaker or writer expects to be agreed with.

it's a moot point whether politicians are less venal than in Twain's day. But they're sure as the devil more intrusive —Alan Abelson
he sure gets them to play —D. S. Looney

Surely, like sure, is used as a simple intensive

I surely don't want to leave the impression that I had an unhappy childhood —E. C. Welsh

but it occurs in more formal contexts than sure. Unlike sure it may be used neutrally—the reader or hearer may or may not agree

it would surely be possible, within a few years, to program a computer to construct a grammar —Noam Chomsky

and it is often used when the writer is trying to persuade.

surely a book on the avant-garde cannot be so conventional —Karl Shapiro

Phrases
for sure
: without doubt or question : certainly
to be sure
: it must be acknowledged : admittedly

Synonyms

Adjective

Adverb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for sure

sure, certain, positive, cocksure mean having no doubt or uncertainty.

sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance.

felt sure that I had forgotten something

certain may apply to a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds or indubitable evidence.

police are certain about the cause of the fire

positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it.

I'm positive that's the person I saw

cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness.

you're always so cocksure about everything

Examples of sure in a Sentence

Adjective She's not sure who will be there. Are you sure you want to go? Are you sure about that? She'll be there, I'm sure of it. Are you sure of the results? The return of the robins is a sure sign of spring. The letter is a sure indication that she cares. Pizza is a sure crowd pleaser. The surest way to lose weight is with diet and exercise. One sure way to improve your health is to stop smoking. Adverb we sure could use your help here
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
For sure: The practice of tithing in many world religions is a key inspiration here. —Dylan Matthews, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024 But Dwight picks the fight by almost immediately accusing Chickie of patricide, which happens to be true but won’t win you any brownie points, for sure. —Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
Adverb
Again, this could all be part of an edit, but Hannah sure gave them a lot of material. —Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 31 Oct. 2024 For a star who hasn't actually said anything definitive about his sexuality, countless social media posts sure like talking about it with no evidence. —David Oliver, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sure 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English seur, sure, from Anglo-French seur, from Latin securus secure

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 7

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sure was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing sure

Dictionary Entries Near sure

surd

sure

sure bet

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Sure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sure. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

sure

1 of 2 adjective
ˈshu̇(ə)r How to pronounce sure (audio)
 especially Southern  ˈshō(ə)r
1
: firmly established : steadfast
a sure hold
2
: reliable, trustworthy
a sure friend
3
: having no doubt : confident
I'm sure I'm right
4
: not to be doubted : certain
sure evidence
5
a
: bound to happen : inevitable
sure disaster
b
: bound as if by fate
we are sure to win
sureness noun

sure

2 of 2 adverb
1
: surely sense 1b
2
: surely sense 2
Etymology

Adjective

Middle English seur, sure "safe from danger or harm," from early French seur (same meaning), from securus "secure" — related to secure

More from Merriam-Webster on sure

Nglish: Translation of sure for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of sure for Arabic Speakers

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