What does uncertain mean?
Word: Uncertain
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Uncertain means not sure about something, or not yet known or decided.
Synonyms: unsure, unclear
Antonyms: certain, sure, definite
How do you spell uncertain?
Syllables: un - cer - tain
Tricky part: Certain ends in tain, the same as curtain, not ten or tin.
Watch out for: uncertin, uncertane, uncerten
Memory tip: Draw the curtain and you are still uncertain what is behind it: curtain and certain end the same way.
Uncertain in a sentence
Example 1: The weather looks uncertain, so take an umbrella to the picnic.
Example 2: Kabir was uncertain which path led back to the campsite.
Example 3: The date of the school fete is still uncertain.
Fun Fact
Certain comes from the Latin certus, meaning settled or sure. Certificate and certify come from the same word.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word:
uncertain
a) careful
b) doubtful
c) thankful
d) hopeful
Show answer
b) doubtful. A doubtful person is not sure, which is what uncertain means.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
The arrival time of the train was unsertain because of the thick fog.
a) unsertain
b) thick
c) arrival
d) because
Show answer
a) unsertain. The sound at the start of certain is a soft c, the same as in circle and city.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
tuarcinen
a) curtain
b) entrance
c) uncertain
d) certainty
Show answer
c) uncertain. Curtain fits inside the jumble but leaves out an n and the e; entrance has no u, and certainty would need a y.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the correctly spelt word:
a) nervus
b) uncertain
c) confussed
d) puzzeled
Show answer
b) uncertain. Confused has one s, puzzled ends in led, and nervous ends in ous.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. When the result of a cricket match is still uncertain, ____.
a) one team has already won
b) nobody knows who will win
c) the trophy has been given out
d) the match has been called off
Show answer
b) nobody knows who will win
2. Ananya gave an uncertain nod. She was ____.
a) in two minds about it
b) feeling very cross
c) too tired to speak
d) fully in agreement
Show answer
a) in two minds about it
