Word for the day: sure

sure |ʃɔː, ʃʊə|                                   *cierto (en Español)



DEFINITION
adjective
1 [ predic. ] [ often with clause ] completely confident that one is right: I'm sure I've seen that dress before | she had to check her diary to be sure of the day of the week.2 (sure of/to do something) certain to receive, get, or do something: United are sure of a UEFA Cup place | it's sure to rain before morning.3 true beyond any doubt: what is sure is that learning is a complex business.• [ attrib. ] able to be relied on or trusted:her neck was red—a sure sign of agitation.4 showing confidence or assurance: the drawings impress by their sure sense of rhythm.

            

   

adverb informal, chiefly N. Amer.


    certainly (used for emphasis): Texas sure was a great place to grow up.• [ as exclamation ] used to show assent: ‘Are you serious?’ ‘Sure.’.
PHRASES
be sure [ usu. in imperative ] do not fail (used to emphasize an instruction): [ withinfinitive ] : be sure to pop in | [ with clause ] :be sure that you know what is required.for sure informal without doubt: I can't say for sure what Giles really wanted.make sure [ usu. with clause ] establish that something is definitely so; confirm: go and make sure she's all right. • ensure that something is done or happens: he made sure that his sons were well educated.( as ) sure as eggs is eggs (also as sure as fate )without any doubt.sure enough informal used to introduce a statement that confirms something previously predicted: when X-rays were taken, sure enough, there was the needle.sure of oneself very confident of one's own abilities or views: he's very sure of himself.sure thing informal a certainty. • [ asexclamation ] chiefly N. Amer.certainly; of course: ‘Can I watch?’ ‘Sure thing.’.to be sure used to concede the truth of something that conflicts with another point that one wishes to make: the ski runs are very limited, to be sure, but excellent for beginners. • used for emphasis: what an extraordinary woman she was, to be sure.
DERIVATIVES
sureness noun
ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French sur, from Latin securus ‘free from care’.

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