uncertain
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++un·cer·tain /ʌnˈsɜːtn $ -ɜːr-/ ●●○ adjective 1 [not before noun]NOT SURE feeling doubt about something 不确定的，无把握的，拿不准的 SYN unsureuncertain whether/how/what etc He was uncertain how much further he could walk. 他不清楚自己还能走多远。uncertain about/of I was uncertain about what to do next. 我拿不定主意接下来要做什么。2 UNCERTAINnot clear, definite, or decided 不清楚的；未确定的；难预料的 SYN unclearit is uncertain whether/how/what etc It is uncertain how likely this is to occur. 出现这种情况的可能性有多大还不清楚。 My whole future now seemed uncertain. 现在我的前途似乎是个未知数。3 in no uncertain terms CLEAR/EASY TO UNDERSTANDif you tell someone something in no uncertain terms, you tell them very clearly without trying to be polite 直截了当地，毫不含糊地 I told Colin in no uncertain terms what I thought of him. 我直截了当地告诉科林我对他的看法。4 if someone walks in an uncertain way, they seem as though they might fall 〔脚步〕蹒跚的，踉跄的 SYN unsteady She took a few uncertain steps forward. 她摇摇晃晃地向前走了几步。 —uncertainly adverbExamples from the Corpus
uncertain• A spokesman said the governor's travel plans were still uncertain.• Even where links were still in place, their future remained uncertain.• More typical is the partial cure where the doctors could say that the treatment was worthwhile but the future uncertain.• The long-term benefits of the treatment are extremely uncertain.• The situation on the island is still very uncertain and the army is on full alert.• If you hesitate the secretary will sense that you are uncertain and wonder whether to put you through or not.• The company faces a highly uncertain future.• They were worried about their son's uncertain future.• Indeed, we shall stress the importance of work organization in change agendas geared towards securing competitive advantage in uncertain market environments.• Doctors are uncertain of what self-government would mean in detail.• She took a few uncertain steps forward.• She would write, when she was away from here, tell him in no uncertain terms exactly what she thought of him.• The economic outlook is so uncertain that I would think carefully before investing any money.• Even now, city staff appears uncertain what can be built on the property.uncertain whether/how/what etc• She felt resolved in spirit but uncertain how best to proceed.• Ford is uncertain whether he will get an offer or even accept one if it comes.• It was very uncertain whether Henry would be able to retain the crown he had seized.• Teacher contract negotiations have been on hold for months because school officials were uncertain how much money they had.• It is still uncertain how these possible burgi operated.• Having never dealt with a statistical neural network, we were uncertain how we could verify the integrity of the network.• It is uncertain whether words alone can amount to an assault.• Are you uncertain whether you have enough of the right kind of insurance?it is uncertain whether/how/what etc• He suffers from severe fits. It is uncertain whether he recognises his carers.un·cer·tain adjectiveChineseSyllable
Corpus feeling doubt something about
uncertain
un‧cer‧tain /ʌnˈsɜːtn $ -ɜːr-/
adjective
SYN unsure
uncertain whether/how/what etc
He was uncertain how much further he could walk.
uncertain about/of
I was uncertain about what to do next.
2. not clear, definite, or decided
SYN unclear
it is uncertain whether/how/what etc
It is uncertain how likely this is to occur.
My whole future now seemed uncertain.
3. in no uncertain terms if you tell someone something in no uncertain terms, you tell them very clearly without trying to be polite:
I told Colin in no uncertain terms what I thought of him.
4. if someone walks in an uncertain way, they seem as though they might fall
SYN unsteady:
She took a few uncertain steps forward.
—uncertainly adverb
un‧cer‧tain /ʌnˈsɜːtn $ -ɜːr-/
adjective Word Family: noun: certainty ≠ uncertainty; adverb: certainly ≠ uncertainly; adjective: certain ≠ uncertain
1. [not before noun] feeling doubt about something SYN unsure
uncertain whether/how/what etc
uncertain about/of
2. not clear, definite, or decided
SYN unclear
it is uncertain whether/how/what etc
3. in no uncertain terms if you tell someone something in no uncertain terms, you tell them very clearly without trying to be polite:
4. if someone walks in an uncertain way, they seem as though they might fall
SYN unsteady:
—uncertainly adverb
◆ I'm sure/100% certain/absolutely positive I left my keys on the table.我肯定我把钥匙落在桌子上了。 ◆ There's no doubt in my mind that this is the best option.我心里确信无疑，这是最佳选择。 ◆ Without a doubt,/No question, this is where it was.毫无疑问，它原来就在这里。 ◆ I'm not (at all) sure what time they arrive,to be honest. 老实说，我（一点也）拿不准他们什么时候到。 ◆ I rather doubt they'll call back.( BrE 我有点儿怀疑他们是否会回电话。
