sure

[[t]ʃʊər, ʃɜr[/t]]

adj. sur•er, sur•est, adv.

1) free from doubt as to the reliability, character, action, etc., of something:

to be sure of one's facts[/ex]

2) confident, as of something expected:

sure of success[/ex]

3) convinced, fully persuaded, or positive:

to be sure of a person's honesty[/ex]

4) assured or certain beyond question:

a sure victory[/ex]

5) worthy of confidence; reliable:

a sure messenger[/ex]

6) unfailing; never disappointing expectations:

a sure cure[/ex]

7) unerring; never missing, slipping, etc.:

a sure aim[/ex]

8) admitting of no doubt or question:

sure proof[/ex]

9) destined; certain:

It is sure to happen[/ex]

10) cvb inf certainly; surely

•

- be or make sure for sure sure enough to be sure

Etymology: 1300–50; ME sur(e) < MF sur, OF seur < L sēcūrus secure sure′ness, n. usage: Both sure and surely are used as intensifying adverbs with the sense “undoubtedly, certainly.” In this use, sure is generally informal and occurs mainly in speech and written representations of speech and is likely to be criticized in other contexts: It sure is hot in here. I sure wouldn't want to be in your place. surely is used in this sense in all varieties of speech and writing: The law was surely meant to apply to both rich and poor. See also quick, slow