sure

 
Pronunciation: /ʃɔː, ʃʊə/

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
  • 3true beyond any doubt: what is sure is that learning is a complex business
  • [attributive] able to be relied on or trusted: her neck was red—a sure sign of agitation
  • 4showing confidence or assurance: the drawings impress by their sure sense of rhythm

adverb

informal, chiefly North American
  • 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

[usually in imperative] do not fail (used to emphasize an instruction): [with infinitive]: 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

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: ‘You’re sure about that?’ ‘Sure as eggs is eggs.’

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: I told my mates it was a sure thing and they put every last penny on that horse of yours
[as exclamation] chiefly North American 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'