uncertainty
Pluraluncertainties (some meanings)
- 1The feeling of not being sure about something.
Like standing at a fork in the road and not knowing which way to go.
There was a lot of uncertainty about when the trip would happen.
Her uncertainty showed when she kept changing her answer.
Similardoubt, unpredictability, insecurity, hesitancy, indecision
Oppositecertainty, confidence, conviction, assurance
Note
- 2A thing that you cannot be sure about.
Like a question mark hanging over your plans.
There is one big uncertainty in our plan: the weather.
The job offer removed many uncertainties about her future.
Similarunknown, question, imponderable, contingency, variable
Oppositecertainty
Note
- 3A number that shows how spread out a set of measurements is.
Like saying you weigh about 70 kilos, give or take one.
Scientists always report the uncertainty in their measurements.
A small uncertainty means the result is very precise.
Similarerror, imprecision
Note
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English uncerteynte. It comes from "un-" plus "certainty," or from "uncertain" plus "-ty."