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uncertainty
/ənˈsɜːrtənti/
a state of being unsure or lacking confidence
The economic uncertainty made investors nervous.
The lack of confidence in the economy worried investors.
general
a state of not being sure or confident about something
The uncertainty about the job market made her anxious.
She felt anxious because she didn't know what the job market would be like.
The doctor expressed uncertainty about the diagnosis.
The doctor wasn't sure about the diagnosis.
Often used in contexts where the outcome or situation is unpredictable.
Collocations
economic uncertaintyuncertainty in the economypolitical uncertaintyuncertainty in politicsjob uncertaintyuncertainty about employment
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
Uncertainty is often used to describe feelings of doubt or lack of confidence in a situation.
Gold Rule
Formal vs. Informal
Uncertainty can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in formal discussions.
Word Origin
From Middle French 'incertain' (14th century), from Latin 'incertus' (uncertain), from 'in-' (not) + 'certus' (certain).
Usage Notes
Often used in formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about the future or unpredictable situations.
Word Breakdown
un-
not
prefix-certain
sure or confident
root-ty
state or condition
suffixEnglish Dictionary