word-vault

{ "term": "certain", "partOfSpeech": "adjective", "ox3000": true, "cefr": "a2", "definitions": [ { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "strongly believing something; having no doubts", "sensetop": "certain (that)…certain about somethingcertain of somethingcertain who/where, etc…", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "I think it was him, but I can't be certain." }, { "text": "She wasn’t certain (that) he had seen her.", "contextForm": "certain (that)…" }, { "text": "**I'm certain** we'll think of something." }, { "text": "Are you **absolutely certain** about this?", "contextForm": "certain about something" }, { "text": "I am not certain of the precise date.", "contextForm": "certain of something" }, { "text": "I'm not certain who was there.", "contextForm": "certain who/where, etc…" }, { "text": "To my certain knowledge he was somewhere else at the time (= I am sure about it)." }, { "text": "I grew more and more certain that she was lying to me." }, { "text": "He wasn't certain who he'd given the papers to." }, { "text": "You have to be quite certain of the facts before making a decision." } ], "topics": ["Doubt, guessing and certainty"], "collocations": { "verbs": ["be", "feel", "look"], "adverb": ["very", "absolutely", "quite"], "preposition": ["about", "of"], "phrases": ["can’t say for certain", "not know for certain"] } }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "that you can rely on to happen or to be true", "sensetop": "it is certain (that)…certain to do somethingcertain of something/of doing something", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "The climbers face certain death if the rescue today is unsuccessful." }, { "text": "It is certain that they will agree.", "contextForm": "it is certain (that)…" }, { "text": "It was not certain that the bones were even human." }, { "text": "She **looks certain** to win an Oscar.", "contextForm": "certain to do something" }, { "text": "He **seemed certain** to be defeated in the election." }, { "text": "The death toll was **almost certain** to rise." }, { "text": "They are certain to agree." }, { "text": "**One thing is certain**—it will be exciting." }, { "text": "If you want to be certain of getting a ticket, book now.", "contextForm": "certain of something/of doing something" }, { "text": "Digby looked certain to be the next president." }, { "text": "It's by no means certain that she'll get the job." }, { "text": "If you want to be certain of getting into the concert, buy your ticket now." } ], "topics": ["Doubt, guessing and certainty"], "collocations": { "verbs": ["be", "feel", "look"], "adverb": ["very", "absolutely", "quite"], "preposition": ["about", "of"], "phrases": ["can’t say for certain", "not know for certain"] } }, { "senseNumber": 3, "definition": "used to mention a particular thing, person or group without giving any more details about it or them", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "For certain personal reasons I shall not be able to attend." }, { "text": "Certain people might disagree with this." }, { "text": "This car appeals to a **certain type** of driver." }, { "text": "You can choose to watch only certain kinds of movies." }, { "text": "They refused to release their hostages unless certain conditions were met." }, { "text": "The president can under certain circumstances dissolve parliament." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 4, "definition": "slight; easy to notice, but difficult to describe", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "That's true, **to a certain extent**." }, { "text": "I experienced a **certain amount** of relief." }, { "text": "I felt there was a certain coldness in her manner." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 5, "definition": "used with a person’s name to show that the speaker does not know the person", "labels": "(formal)", "examples": [ { "text": "It was a certain Dr Davis who performed the operation." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "without doubt", "examples": [ { "text": "I can't say for certain when we'll arrive." }, { "text": "We don't know for certain how many people are coming." }, { "text": "I think she's a teacher, but I couldn't say for certain." }, { "text": "He couldn't say for certain whether she would be there." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to find out whether something is definitely true", "examples": [ { "text": "I think there's a bus at 8 but you'd better call to make certain." }, { "text": "Make certain that you lock the door if you go out." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to do something in order to be sure that something else will happen", "examples": [ { "text": "You'll have to leave soon to make certain of getting there on time." } ], "topics": ["Doubt, guessing and certainty"] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "if you talk about a person being of a certain age, you mean that they are no longer young but not yet old", "examples": [ { "text": "The show appeals to an audience of a certain age." } ] } ], "pronunciations": { "uk": [ { "pronunciation": "/ˈsɜːtn/", "audio": "ce/certain/certain__gb_3.mp3" } ], "us": [ { "pronunciation": "/ˈsɜːrtn/", "audio": "ce/certain/certain__us_2.mp3" } ] }, "wordOrigin": "Middle English: from Old French, based on Latin certus ‘settled, sure’." }