adj.
Pronunciation: ' s ə r-t ə n
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *certanus, from Latin certus, from past participle of cernere to sift, discern, decide; akin to Greek krinein to separate, decide, judge, Old Irish criathar sieve
Date: 13th century
1 : FIXED , SETTLED <a certain percentage of the profit>
2 : of a specific but unspecified character, quantity, or degree <the house has a certain charm>
3 a : DEPENDABLE , RELIABLE <a certain remedy for the disease> b : known or proved to be true : INDISPUTABLE <it is certain that we exist>
4 a : INEVITABLE <the certain advance of age> b : incapable of failing : DESTINED ― used with a following infinitive <she is certain to do well>
5 : assured in mind or action <I am certain they are right>
synonyms see SURE
– for certain : as a certainty : ASSUREDLY <the cause is not known for certain >
– of a certain age : of a somewhat advanced age : no longer young <remembered by people of a certain age >