Definition of "certain" in inglés

adjective

1. Sure in one's mind, positive; absolutely confident in the truth of something.

   • I was certain of my decision.

2. Not to be doubted or denied; established as a fact.

   • Now that more experiments have been run, the theory is certain and the argument is settled.

3. Sure to happen, inevitable; assured.

   • It is certain that Spain will reach the finals. / Spain is now certain to reach the finals. / Spain is now certain of a place in the finals.
   • Bankruptcy is the certain outcome of your constant gambling and lending.

4. Unfailing; infallible.

5. Fixed; regular; determinate.

   • at certain intervals

6. Particular and definite, but unspecified or unnamed; used to introduce someone or something without going into further detail.

   • Every wine has a certain distinctive character which sets it apart from all others.
   • Each morning, she would see a certain man rush past her window on his way to work.

7. (euphemistic, preceded by "a") Used to denote that the speaker is referring to a specific person or thing that they do not want to name directly, implying that the listener should infer the identity of the referent.

   • I would have been here on time, but a certain someone lost the car keys!

8. (preceded by "a", of a person) Named but not previously mentioned.

   • Looking inside the cover, they learned that the book had once belonged to a certain R. Jones.

9. (preceded by "a", of a person) Used before the name of someone famous that people are expected to know.

   • Since the last British government to make such a proposal was that of a certain Margaret Thatcher, it might not seem unreasonable.

10. (obsolete) Determined; resolved.

determiner

1. Having been determined but not specified.

   • Certain people are good at running.

pronoun

1. (with of) Unnamed or undescribed members (of).

   • She mentioned a series of contracts, of which certain are not cited.