DictionaryAI

sure

SHUUR/ʃʊɹ/UKSHAW/ʃoː/

Formssurer, surest

9 meanings of sure

Practice

  1. 1
    confidentadjective
    Feeling certain that something is true, with no doubts.

    Like knowing your own name: you have no doubt at all.

    I'm sure I locked the door before we left.

    Are you sure about your answer on the test?

    UsageSay sure about something, or I'm sure that...

    Similarcertain, confident, convinced, positive

    Oppositeunsure, uncertain, doubtful

  2. 2
    adjective
    Certain to happen, to do something, or to get something.

    Like dark clouds that tell you rain is on the way.

    The team is sure to win the game tonight.

    If you leave food out, the ants are sure to find it.

    UsageSure to win means she will surely win. Be sure to means don't forget to.

    Similarcertain, bound

    Oppositeunlikely

  3. 3
    interjection
    Used to say yes. It can sound happy or, said flatly, not very keen.

    "Did you have a good time?" "Sure, I guess."

    "Want to come to the meeting?" "Sure, whatever."

    UsageAdd I guess to sound less willing: Sure, I guess.

    Similaryes, okay, fine, yeah

    Note
  4. 4
    adverbcolloquial
    Certainly or really, as in 'it sure is hot today'.

    It sure is hot today, so let's go to the pool.

    That chocolate cake sure looks good.

    UsagePut sure right before the verb: it sure is cold, you sure know.

    Note
  5. 5
    adverbcolloquial
    Used at the start of a sentence to agree that something is true before saying something against it.

    Sure, the hotel was small, but the view from our room was amazing.

    Sure, he's late sometimes, but he always gets the job done.

    UsageSay Sure, ... but ... to agree and then disagree.

    Similargranted, admittedly

  6. 6
    reliableadjective
    Strong and reliable, not likely to fail or slip.

    Like a strong ladder that holds steady when you climb it.

    She kept a sure grip on the rope as she climbed.

    The old horse is slow but sure on the rocky mountain path.

    UsageSay a sure sign of something.

    Similarreliable, dependable, firm, secure, steady

    Oppositeunreliable, shaky, unsteady

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 7
    you're welcomeinterjection
    Used to reply in a polite, friendly way after someone thanks you.

    "Thanks for the ride home!" "Sure, anytime."

    "I really appreciate your help." "Sure, glad to do it."

    Similaranytime

  2. 8
    adjectiveobsolete
    Safe and free from danger, in old usage.
    Feare not: the Forreſt is not three leagues off, / If we recouer that, we are ſure enough.
    c. 1590, William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”Here, sure means safe and free from danger.
    Note
  3. 9
    adjectiveobsolete
    Promised to someone in marriage.
    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of sure apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It came through Old French from Latin sēcūrus, meaning "secure" or "carefree," made from sē- ("apart") and cūra ("care").

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts