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Definition of uncertainty

uncertainty

/ʌnˈsɜːr.tən.ti/
un · cer · tain · ty
Adverb:uncertainly
•
Plural:uncertainties
•
Adjective:uncertain
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uncertainty Lexical Profile

uncertainty Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The state of being doubtful, hesitant, or unsure about something; a lack of conviction or definite knowledge.

Example

"There was a great deal of uncertainty among the employees regarding the upcoming corporate merger."

2

Something that is unpredictable, unsettled, or not reliably known, often used in the plural to refer to future contingencies.

Example

"Financial planners help clients prepare for the economic uncertainties of retirement."

3

In science, metrology, and statistics, a quantitative estimate of the range within which the true value of a measurement is asserted to lie.

Example

"The laboratory report specified the mass of the sample along with a measurement uncertainty of plus or minus two milligrams."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for uncertainty

• Nearby Words

unceremoniously
uncertain
uncertainly
uncertainty
uncertified
unchain
unchained

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the 14th century, the word combines the Old English privative prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') with Middle English 'certeynte' (certainty), which derives from Old French 'certaine' and ultimately Latin 'certus' ('settled' or 'sure').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Uncertainty. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/uncertainty
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