Dictionary

uncertain

Etymology

From Middle English uncerteyn; equivalent to un- + certain.

Pronunciation

(RP) IPA: /ʌnˈsɜːtn̩/
(America) IPA: /ʌnˈsɝtn̩/

Adjective

uncertain

Not certain; unsure.
- 1664, John Tillotson, “Sermon I. The Wisdom of Being Religious. Job XXVIII. 28.”, in The Works of the Most Reverend Dr. John Tillotson, Late Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: […], 8th edition, London: […] T. Goodwin, B[enjamin] Tooke, and J. Pemberton, […]; J. Round […], and J[acob] Tonson] […], published 1720, →OCLC ↗, page 20 ↗:
  Conſider man without the protection and conduct of a ſuperior Being, and he is ſecure of nothing that he enjoys in this world, and uncertain of every thing that he hopes for.
Not known for certain; questionable.
Tomorrow's weather is uncertain.
Not yet determined; undecided.
Variable and subject to change.
Fitful or unsteady.
- 1914 November, Louis Joseph Vance, “An Outsider […]”, in Munsey's Magazine, volume LIII, number II, New York, N.Y.: The Frank A[ndrew] Munsey Company, […], published 1915, →OCLC ↗, chapter III (Accessory After the Fact), page 382 ↗, column 1:
  Turning back, then, toward the basement staircase, she began to grope her way through blinding darkness, but had taken only a few uncertain steps when, of a sudden, she stopped short and for a little stood like a stricken thing, quite motionless save that she quaked to her very marrow in the grasp of a great and enervating fear.
Unpredictable or capricious.
- 1808 February 21, Walter Scott, “Canto Sixth. The Battle.”, in Marmion; a Tale of Flodden Field, Edinburgh: […] J[ames] Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Company, […]; London: William Miller, and John Murray, →OCLC ↗, stanza XXXI, page 362 ↗:
  O, woman! in our hours of ease, / Uncertain, coy, and hard to please, / And variable as the shade / By the light quivering aspen made; […]