uncertain
UK: ʌnˈsɜːtn | US: ʌnˈsɜːrtn
adj. not able to be relied on; not known or definite
adj. (of a person) not completely confident or sure about something
uncertain = un<not> + certain<fixed, sure>
- un: A prefix of negation, from Old English "un-," meaning "not."
- certain: Derived from Latin "certus" (fixed, settled), via Old French "certain." The root implies clarity or decisiveness.
Etymology Origin:
The word "uncertain" emerged in Middle English by combining the negative prefix "un-" with "certain," which originally meant "resolved" or "determined." The Latin "certus" (from "cernere," meaning "to decide") reflects the idea of cutting through ambiguity. Over time, "uncertain" evolved to describe both objective unpredictability ("an uncertain outcome") and subjective doubt ("feeling uncertain").
The weather forecast remains uncertain for the weekend.
She was uncertain about accepting the job offer.
His uncertain tone made the audience uneasy.
The future of the project is still uncertain.
They walked at an uncertain pace, glancing back frequently.