Etymologically
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uncertain

Etymology and origin of the English word uncertain

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
before 1300
Ultimate origin
English (certain)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: UK /ʌnˈsɜː.tən/, US /ʌnˈsɝː.tən/[1]

Etymology

It is formed from un-, not, and certain.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Not fixed in time or occurrence, also unknown and unknowable: before 1300 in the OED, the early 14th century in Etymonline.[4][2]

Semantic evolution

Not fixed in amount and dependent on chance are from 1303,[4] subject to doubt from 1338,[4] and liable to change, unreliable, from 1477.[4] Of people, not fully confident or lacking sure knowledge, is from the late 14th century, implied in uncertainty.[2]

Timeline

  • before 1300 – not fixed in time.[4]
  • 1303 – dependent on chance.[4]
  • 1338 – doubtful.[4]
  • late 14th century – not sure (of persons).[2]
  • 1477 – changeable.[4]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Not known or settled; doubtful: the outcome is uncertain.
  2. Not sure or confident: uncertain of the way.
  3. Not decided: uncertain plans.
  4. Liable to change; unreliable: an uncertain temper.

Word family

  • uncertainly
  • uncertainness

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
Cite this entry

“Uncertain.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/uncertain. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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