sure
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++sure1 /ʃɔː $ ʃʊr/ ●●● S1 W1 adjective 1 certain you know STH 确信自己知道某事 [not before noun]SURE confident that you know something or that something is true or correct 肯定的，确信的，有把握的 SYN certain ‘That’s Sarah’s cousin.’ ‘Are you sure?’ “那是萨拉的表妹。”“你肯定吗？” ‘What time does the show start?’ ‘I’m not sure.’ “表演什么时候开始？”“我说不准。”sure (that) I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for all this. 我确信这一切都是有合理解释的。 Are you sure that you know how to get there? 你肯定知道怎样到那里去吗？ My mother, I felt sure, had not met him before. 我敢肯定我妈妈以前从未见过他。not sure how/where/when etc Henry wasn’t sure how to answer this. 亨利不清楚该如何回答这个问题。not sure if/whether I’m not sure if I’m pronouncing this correctly. 我不太清楚这个音我发得对不对。sure of He wasn’t even sure of his mother’s name. 他甚至连他妈妈的名字都搞不清。 They were talking about her, she was sure of that. 他们在谈论她，她很肯定。sure about ‘That’s the man I saw in the building last night.’ ‘Are you quite sure (=completely sure) about that?’ “那就是我昨晚在大楼里看见的那个男人。”“你确定吗？”n RegisterIn writing, people often prefer to use certain rather than sure, because it sounds more formal:We cannot be certain what causes this phenomenon.2 make sure a) CHECK/MAKE SUREto find out if something is true or to check that something has been done 〔把某事〕弄清楚，查明 ‘Did you lock the front door?’ ‘I think so, but I’d better make sure.’ “前门你锁了吗？”“我想是锁了，但我最好还是去查看一下。”make sure (that) I wanted to make sure you were all right. 我想确认一下你是否没事。 First, make sure the printer has enough paper in it. 首先，确保打印机里有足够的纸张。 b) CERTAINLY/DEFINITELYto do something so that you can be certain of the result 确保make sure (that) I’ll walk you home, just to make sure no one bothers you. 我陪你走回家，就为确保没人骚扰你。make sure of (doing) something Spain made sure of their place by holding Japan to a 1–1 draw. 和日本队踢成 1 比 1 平让西班牙确保了自己的排名。 Thomas would be sorry – she would make sure of that. 托马斯会后悔的——她一定要叫他后悔。3 certain about your feelings 清楚自己的感觉 [not before noun] certain about what you feel, want, like etc 〔对自己的感觉、想法、喜好等〕肯定的，确实的，无疑的sure (that) Are you sure you really want a divorce? 你肯定真的想要离婚吗？sure of Carla says she is very sure of her love for Tony. 卡拉说她非常确定自己爱托尼。4 certain to be true 肯定真实的，确切的CERTAINLY/DEFINITELY certain to be true 肯定是真实的5 certain to happen/succeed 肯定会发生/成功CERTAINLY/DEFINITELY certain to happen, succeed, or have a particular result 肯定会〔发生、成功或得到某结果〕的6 be sure of (doing) something CERTAINLY/DEFINITELYto be certain to get something or be certain that something will happen 某事肯定会发生；一定会做某事7 sure of yourself CONFIDENTconfident in your own abilities and opinions, sometimes in a way that annoys other people 有自信心的；（过分）自信的8 be sure to do something spokenREMEMBER used to tell someone to remember to do something 一定要做某事，务必要做某事〔用于告诉某人记住做某事〕9 for sure 10 sure thing spoken informalYES used to agree to something 当然；没问题11 to be sure spoken formalTRUE used to admit that something is true, before saying something that is the opposite 不能否认；诚然，固然12 EMPHASIZE 强调(as) sure as hell spoken informalCERTAINLY/DEFINITELY used to emphasize a statement 绝对，肯定〔用于强调〕13. have a sure hold/footing HOLDif you have a sure hold or footing, your hands or feet are placed firmly so they cannot slip 抓紧/站稳 —sureness noun [uncountable]n COLLOCATIONSadverbsquite sureAre you quite sure she won’t mind?pretty sureI’m pretty sure it was the same woman who called the office last week.absolutely sureDon’t throw anything away until you are absolutely sure you won’t need it again.not quite/entirely sure‘What are they?’ ‘I’m not entirely sure.’not exactly sureI’m not exactly sure when the funeral is.not very/too sureMake a list of any words or phrases whose meaning you are not too sure about.not at all sureBy now, we were not at all sure where we were. THESAURUSsure adjective believing that something is definitely true or correct 〔对某事物的真实性或正确性〕确信的,有把握的I’m sure that you’re right. 我确信你是对的。‘The car was a BMW.’ ‘Are you sure?’ “那辆车是宝马。”“你肯定吗？”I’m not sure what the best thing to do is. 我说不准怎么做才最好。certain adjective completely sure. Certain is more formal than sure, and it is very commonly used in writing 确定的,无疑的〔certain 比 sure 更正式,在书面语中很常用〕The police were certain that they had found the killer. 警方确定他们找到了凶手。I think he’s married, but I’m not certain about it. 我想他结婚了,但我不能肯定。convinced adjective sure that something is true, even though you cannot prove it 〔尽管无法证明但〕确信的She became convinced that her boyfriend was seeing someone else. 她确信她男友在和其他人交往。Brown’s wife was convinced of his innocence. 布朗的妻子坚信他是清白的。positive adjective especially spoken completely sure that something is true, especially when other people are not sure 确信的,肯定的〔尤用于他人不肯定时〕She said she was positive that the exam was next Tuesday. 她说她肯定下周二会考试。I’m absolutely positive I haven’t made a mistake. 我非常确信我没弄错。satisfied adjective sure that you know the truth about something that has happened, because you have enough information 〔因获取足够信息而〕确信的The authorities are now satisfied that her death was an accident. 目前当局确信她死于意外。confident adjective sure that something good will happen or that you will achieve something 有信心的,有把握的Doctors are confident that he’ll make a full recovery. 医生肯定他能完全康复。A spokesman said the government was confident of winning the vote. 发言人表示政府对赢得选举很有信心。have no doubt (also be in no doubt) v phrase to have no doubts in your mind about something 确信无疑I have no doubt that his story is true. 我确信他说的是真的。He was in no doubt about what he should do next. 他明确知道下一步该怎么办。know verb to have a strong feeling that something is true or correct 肯定,确定I just know that she will love this necklace. 我就是知道她会喜欢这条项链。When the phone rang, we knew something terrible must have happened. 电话一响,我们就知道一定出了什么不好的事。
Examples from the Corpus
sure• 'The car was a BMW' 'Are you sure?'• Lou Rigatoni laughed and doffed his hat, which Madame Astarti thought was a fedora but wasn't sure.• I think Leah lives here, but I'm not sure.• We do not believe this is the body of the missing girl, but we have to check to be absolutely sure.• I think children are influenced by these films, but it's impossible to be sure about this.• I'm pretty sure Barbara still works here.• Clara waited, eyes on the window, until she was sure Cybil was through with the Wedding March.• To be sure, designers on one side may pirate good ideas, may imitate design features, from the other side.• He wanted to be sure he could return to London if he didn't like his new job.• You need to be sure of your facts before making any accusations.• I'm surprised she isn't here - I was sure she would come.• Moreover, how could he be sure Sir Philip would disregard his illegitimacy, as Madeleine appeared to do?• Are you quite sure that he understood your instructions?• Are you sure that isn't Transylvania?• This is where you attract the patrons and sponsors who will make sure that you get the choice assignments.• Are you sure you aren't paying too much tax?quite sure• He wasn't quite sure how to treat Emily.• Doak is quite sure that dolphins have varied personalities or behavioural traits, despite the uniformity of their bodies.• Her only problem now was how to face Felipe, because she was quite sure that he would not be embarrassed.• If the fingerprints do match, however, then Y can be quite sure that the digital signature is authentic.• I feel quite sure the Black Agency would not approve.• No one in the room was quite sure what would happen next as Romanov offered no opinion.• We might as well take our time and make quite sure where we'd like to have them.• He was not quite sure who it was, but he had certain ideas.sure (that)• The taste suggests its Shirley Temple-ish hue is due to a splash of cranberry, though we're not sure.• They are friends and sometime lovers, but they are never sure how the other fits into their plans.• I was so sure I knew what was right, so critical of other people.• Owen was not sure that whatever lesson Osman had learned had been quite the right one.• I am sure they don't know this reality.• Everyone in the room remained seated, not quite sure what to do next.• We might as well take our time and make quite sure where we'd like to have them.• Researchers are not sure why Melanotan-2 caused such a reaction.sure sign/indication• The beginning of sugaring is a much surer sign of spring than is Punxsutawney Phil.• Auntie Ying says, and the sure sign of the eclipse of self is the loss of the power to tell one.• He scratched his head, a sure sign of thought.• It was thus a sure sign that his thoughts were far away.• The oyster boats were still fixed to the moorings, a sure sign that Oystermouth was in mourning.• It was still in place, a sure sign that the door had not been opened while he was out.• This is a sure sign that they need more practice.sure thing/bet• Elbert cautioned, however, that funding is far from a sure thing.• In either case, the outcome is pretty much a sure thing.• As Patrick O'Brien proved, maritime adventures are always a sure bet for landlubber readers.• That is far from a sure thing, however.• The only sure thing in Iowa is that nothing is sure.• At 38, he seemed a sure bet to become a towering figure of popular music.• They wanted instant access, just to make sure things were in place.• Our idea was that at last we could have a real go at it, make sure things worked out.sure2 ●●● S1 adverb 1 sure enough HAPPENused to say that something did actually happen in the way that you said it would 果真，果然（如此） 〔表示发生的事与预料的相符〕2 yes 是的 spokenYES used to say ‘yes’ to someone 当然，好的3 accept thanks 接受感谢 American English spokenTHANK used as a reply when you accept thanks from someone 不（用）谢，不（用）客气4 emphasize 强调 American English informalVERY used to emphasize a statement 必定，无疑〔表示强调〕5 before statement 在陈述之前 spokenTRUE used at the beginning of a statement admitting that something is true, especially before adding something very different 的确，没错〔用于陈述的开始，承认某事属实，尤用于随后补充不同看法时〕Examples from the Corpus
sure• "The turkey looks pretty good, doesn't it?" "It sure does."• And sure enough, the signatures did look personalized.• Sure, he's cute, but I'm still not interested.Origin sure1 (1300-1400) Old French sur, from Latin securus; → SECURE1sure1 adjective →n REGISTER1 →n COLLOCATIONS1
→THESAURUS1sure2 adverbLDOCE OnlineChinese
→THESAURUS1sure2 adverbLDOCE OnlineChinese
Corpus or that know confident you something
sure
sure1 S1 W1 /ʃɔː $ ʃʊr/ 
adjective1. CERTAIN YOU KNOW SOMETHING [not before noun] confident that you know something or that something is true or correct
SYN certain:
‘That’s Sarah’s cousin.’ ‘Are you sure?’
‘What time does the show start?’ ‘I’m not sure.’
sure (that)
I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for all this.
Are you sure that you know how to get there?
My mother, I felt sure, had not met him before.
not sure how/where/when etc
Henry wasn’t sure how to answer this.
not sure if/whether
I’m not sure if I’m pronouncing this correctly.
sure of
He wasn’t even sure of his mother’s name.
They were talking about her, she was sure of that.
sure about
‘That’s the man I saw in the building last night.’ ‘Are you quite sure (=completely sure) about that?’
REGISTER
In writing, people often prefer to use certain rather than sure, because it sounds more formal:
▪We cannot be certain what causes this phenomenon.
2. make sure
a. to find out if something is true or to check that something has been done:
‘Did you lock the front door?’ ‘I think so, but I’d better make sure.’
make sure (that)
I wanted to make sure you were all right.
First, make sure the printer has enough paper in it.
b. to do something so that you can be certain of the result
make sure (that)
I’ll walk you home, just to make sure no one bothers you.
make sure of (doing) something
Spain made sure of their place by holding Japan to a 1–1 draw.
Thomas would be sorry – she would make sure of that.
3. CERTAIN ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS [not before noun] certain about what you feel, want, like etc
sure (that)
Are you sure you really want a divorce?
sure of
Carla says she is very sure of her love for Tony.
4. CERTAIN TO BE TRUE certain to be true
one thing is (for) sure
One thing’s for sure, we’ll never be able to move this furniture on our own.
sure sign/indication
Those black clouds are a sure sign of rain.
5. CERTAIN TO HAPPEN/SUCCEED certain to happen, succeed, or have a particular result
sure to do something
He’s sure to get nervous and say something stupid.
sure way to do something/of doing something
There was only one sure way of finding out – and that was to visit him.
sure thing/bet American English (=something that will definitely happen, win, succeed etc)
6. be sure of (doing) something to be certain to get something or be certain that something will happen:
United must beat Liverpool to be sure of winning the championship.
You can be sure of one thing – there’ll be a lot of laughs.
7. sure of yourself confident in your own abilities and opinions, sometimes in a way that annoys other people:
Kids nowadays seem very sure of themselves.
8. be sure to do something spoken used to tell someone to remember to do something:
Be sure to ring and let us know you’ve got back safely.
9. for sure
a. informal certainly or definitely:
No one knows for sure what really happened.
b. spoken used to emphasize that something is true:
We’ll always need teachers, that’s for sure.
c. American English informal spoken used to agree with someone
10. sure thing spoken informal used to agree to something:
‘Can you pick me up later?’ ‘Sure thing.’
11. to be sure spoken formal used to admit that something is true, before saying something that is the opposite:
It was difficult, to be sure, but somehow we managed to finish the job.
12. (as) sure as hell spoken informal used to emphasize a statement:
If I could get you out of there, I sure as hell would.
13. have a sure hold/footing if you have a sure hold or footing, your hands or feet are placed firmly so they cannot slip
—sureness noun [uncountable]
■ adverbs
▪quite sure Are you quite sure she won’t mind?
▪pretty sure I’m pretty sure it was the same woman who called the office last week.
▪absolutely sure Don’t throw anything away until you are absolutely sure you won’t need it again.
▪not quite/entirely sure ‘What are they?’ ‘I’m not entirely sure.’
▪not exactly sure I’m not exactly sure when the funeral is.
▪not very/too sure Make a list of any words or phrases whose meaning you are not too sure about.
▪not at all sure By now, we were not at all sure where we were.
▪ sure adjective believing that something is definitely true or correct: I’m sure that you’re right. | ‘The car was a BMW’ ‘Are you sure?’ | I’m not sure what the best thing to do is.
▪certain adjective completely sure. Certain is more formal than sure, and it is very commonly used in writing: The police were certain that they had found the killer. | I think he’s married, but I’m not certain about it.
▪convinced adjective sure that something is true, even though you cannot prove it: She became convinced that her boyfriend was seeing someone else. | Brown’s wife was convinced of his innocence.
▪positive adjective especially spoken completely sure that something is true, especially when other people are not sure: She said she was positive that the exam was next Tuesday. | I’m absolutely positive I haven’t made a mistake.
▪satisfied adjective sure that you know the truth about something that has happened, because you have enough information: The authorities are now satisfied that her death was an accident.
▪confident adjective sure that something good will happen or that you will achieve something: Doctors are confident that he’ll make a full recovery. | A spokesman said the government was confident of winning the vote.
▪have no doubt (also be in no doubt ) verb phrase to have no doubts in your mind about something: I have no doubt that his story is true. | He was in no doubt about what he should do next.
▪know verb to have a strong feeling that something is true or correct: I just know that she will love this necklace. | When the phone rang, we knew something terrible must have happened.
sure2 S3 adverb
1. sure enough used to say that something did actually happen in the way that you said it would:
Sure enough, Mike managed to get lost.
2. YES spoken used to say ‘yes’ to someone:
‘Can you give me a ride to work tomorrow?’ ‘Sure.’
3. ACCEPT THANKS American English spoken used as a reply when you accept thanks from someone:
‘Thanks for your help, Karen.’ ‘Sure.’
4. EMPHASIZE American English informal used to emphasize a statement:
It sure is hot out here.
I sure hope they get there all right.
5. BEFORE STATEMENT spoken used at the beginning of a statement admitting that something is true, especially before adding something very different:
Sure Joey’s happy now, but will it last?
| I |
adjective1. CERTAIN YOU KNOW SOMETHING [not before noun] confident that you know something or that something is true or correct SYN certain:
sure (that)
not sure how/where/when etc
not sure if/whether
sure of
sure about
REGISTER
In writing, people often prefer to use certain rather than sure, because it sounds more formal:
▪
2. make sure
a. to find out if something is true or to check that something has been done:
make sure (that)
b. to do something so that you can be certain of the result
make sure (that)
make sure of (doing) something
3. CERTAIN ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS [not before noun] certain about what you feel, want, like etc
sure (that)
sure of
4. CERTAIN TO BE TRUE certain to be true
one thing is (for) sure
sure sign/indication
5. CERTAIN TO HAPPEN/SUCCEED certain to happen, succeed, or have a particular result
sure to do something
sure way to do something/of doing something
sure thing/bet American English (=something that will definitely happen, win, succeed etc)
6. be sure of (doing) something to be certain to get something or be certain that something will happen:
7. sure of yourself confident in your own abilities and opinions, sometimes in a way that annoys other people:
8. be sure to do something spoken used to tell someone to remember to do something:
9. for sure
a. informal certainly or definitely:
b. spoken used to emphasize that something is true:
c. American English informal spoken used to agree with someone
10. sure thing spoken informal used to agree to something:
11. to be sure spoken formal used to admit that something is true, before saying something that is the opposite:
12. (as) sure as hell spoken informal used to emphasize a statement:
13. have a sure hold/footing if you have a sure hold or footing, your hands or feet are placed firmly so they cannot slip
—sureness noun [uncountable]
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adverb1. sure enough used to say that something did actually happen in the way that you said it would:
2. YES spoken used to say ‘yes’ to someone:
3. ACCEPT THANKS American English spoken used as a reply when you accept thanks from someone:
4. EMPHASIZE American English informal used to emphasize a statement:
5. BEFORE STATEMENT spoken used at the beginning of a statement admitting that something is true, especially before adding something very different:
sure [ 指确信、肯定、有把握、必定 ：◆ 'Is that John over there?' 'I'm not sure.' “那边那个人是约翰吗？” “我说不准。” ◆ Are you sure about that? 这事你肯定吗？ ◆ England must win this game to be sure of qualifying. 英格兰队必须拿下这场比赛才能确保获得资格。 NOTE Sure is often used in negative statements and questions, because there is some doubt or anxiety over the matter. If there is no doubt, people often sayquite sure .* sure 常用于否定句和疑问句，表示有所怀疑或担忧。毫无疑问时常用 quite sure ：◆ I'm quite sure (that) I left my bag here (= .I have no doubt about it )我肯定是把包丢在这儿了。 confident completely sure that sth will happen in the way that you want or expect 指肯定、确信、有把握 ：◆ I'm quite confident that you'll get the job. 我肯定你能得到那份工作。 ◆ The team feels confident of winning. 这个队觉得有把握取胜。 NOTE Confident is a stronger and more definite word thansure and is more often used in positive statements, when you feel no anxiety.* confident 较 sure 语气强，而且更肯定，在无所担忧的情况下较常用于肯定句中。 convinced [ 指坚信、深信、确信，尤指有证据证明或经说服 ：◆ I'm convinced that she's innocent. 我坚信她是清白无辜的。 certain [ 指确信、肯定、无疑 ：◆ Are you absolutely certain about this? 你对这事绝对确信无疑吗？
sure or certain? 用 sure 还是 certain？
positive [ ( completely sure that sth is truerather
指有绝对把握、确信、肯定 ：◆ She was positive that he'd been there. 她确信他曾到过那儿。 ◆ 'Are you sure?' 'Positive.' “你肯定吗？” “绝对肯定。” clear (often used in negative statements and questions) having no doubt or confusion about sth （常用于否定句与疑问句中）指无疑的、清楚的、明白的 ：◆ My memory isn't really clear on that point. 那一点我记不太清楚了。
Patterns
sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive/clear about sthsure/confident/convinced/certain of sthsure/confident/convinced/certain/positive/clear that… sure/certain/clear who/what/how , etc.to feel sure/confident/convinced/certain/positivequite/absolutely/completely/fairly/pretty sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive/clearnot altogether sure/confident/convinced/certain/clear
certain that you can rely on to happen or be true 指确实、确定、肯定（会发生或是事实） ：◆ It's certain that they will agree. 他们肯定会同意。 ◆ They are certain to agree. 他们肯定会同意。 bound [ 指肯定会、一定会 NOTE Bound is only used in the phrasebound to do/be, etc. * bound 只用于 bound to do/be 等短语中 ：◆ There are bound to be changes when the new system is introduced. 新系统引进后肯定会有变化。 ◆ You've done so much work—you're bound to pass the exam. 你下了这么大功夫，一定能通过考试。 sure certain to happen or be true; that can be trusted or relied on 指必定、无疑（会发生或是事实）或不容置疑、确切、可靠 ：◆ She's sure to be picked for the team. 她肯定会入选该队。 ◆ It's sure to rain. 一准会下雨。 definite ( certain to happen; that is not going to changerather
指必将发生、不会改变 ：◆ Is it definite that he's leaving? 他肯定要离开吗？ guaranteed certain to have a particular result 指肯定会、必定会（有特定结果） ：◆ That kind of behaviour is guaranteed to make him angry. 那样的行为肯定会让他生气。
Patterns
certain/sure of sthcertain/bound/sure/guaranteed to do sth certain/definite that… I couldn't say for certain/sure/definite.
certain that you can rely on to happen or be true 指确实、确定、肯定（会发生或是事实） ：◆ It's certain that they will agree. 他们肯定会同意。 ◆ They are certain to agree. 他们肯定会同意。 bound [ 指肯定会、一定会 NOTE Bound is only used in the phrasebound to do/be, etc. * bound 只用于 bound to do/be 等短语中 ：◆ There are bound to be changes when the new system is introduced. 新系统引进后肯定会有变化。 ◆ You've done so much work—you're bound to pass the exam. 你下了这么大功夫，一定能通过考试。 sure certain to happen or be true; that can be trusted or relied on 指必定、无疑（会发生或是事实）或不容置疑、确切、可靠 ：◆ She's sure to be picked for the team. 她肯定会入选该队。 ◆ It's sure to rain. 一准会下雨。 definite ( certain to happen; that is not going to changerather
指必将发生、不会改变 ：◆ Is it definite that he's leaving? 他肯定要离开吗？ guaranteed certain to have a particular result 指肯定会、必定会（有特定结果） ：◆ That kind of behaviour is guaranteed to make him angry. 那样的行为肯定会让他生气。
Patterns
certain/sure of sthcertain/bound/sure/guaranteed to do sth certain/definite that… I couldn't say for certain/sure/definite.
sometimes
especially
especially