UNCERTAINLY

unsteadily, falteringly, uncertainly

(adverb) in an unsteady manner; “he walked unsteadily toward the exit”; “The wounded soldier was swinging unsteadily on his legs”

uncertainly

(adverb) showing lack of certainty; “he paused uncertainly”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adverb

uncertainly (comparative more uncertainly, superlative most uncertainly)

In an uncertain manner.

Antonyms

• certainly

Source: Wiktionary


Un*cer"tain*ly, adv.

Definition: In an uncertain manner.

UNCERTAIN

Un*cer"tain, a. Etym: [Pref. un- + certain. Cf. Incertain.]

1. Not certain; not having certain knowledge; not assured in mind; distrustful. Chaucer. Man, without the protection of a superior Being, . . . is uncertain of everything that he hopes for. Tillotson.

2. Irresolute; inconsonant; variable; untrustworthy; as, an uncertain person; an uncertain breeze. O woman! in our hours of ease, Uncertain, coy, and hard to please! Sir W. Scott.

3. Questionable; equivocal; indefinite; problematical. "The fashion of uncertain evils." Milton. From certain dangers to uncertain praise. Dryden.

4. Not sure; liable to fall or err; fallible. Soon bent his bow, uncertain in his aim. Dryden. Whistling slings dismissed the uncertain stone. Gay.

Syn.

– See Precarious.

Un*cer"tain, v. t. Etym: [1st pref. un- + certain; or fr. uncertain, a.]

Definition: To make uncertain. [Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

11 January 2025

COWBERRY

(noun) low evergreen shrub of high north temperate regions of Europe and Asia and America bearing red edible berries


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Coffee Trivia

The expression “coffee break” was first attested in 1952 in glossy magazine advertisements by the Pan-American Coffee Bureau.

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