Etymology : Middle English, from Middle French sur, from Latin securus secure
Pronunciation : shur,
esp Southern shOr
Function : adjective
Date : 13th century
1. certain; firm; confident; inevitable; reliable; steady. adcertainly. sure\sure\ , a. [compar. surer ; superl. surest.] [oe. sur, of. seür, f. sûr, l. securus; se aside, without + cura care. see:
secure, and cf. assure, insure, sicker sure.].
2. certainly knowing and believing; confident beyond doubt; implicity trusting; unquestioning; positive. we are sure that the judgment of god is according to truth against them which commit such things. ii.
3. i'm sure care 's an enemy of life.
4. certain to find or retain; as, to be sure of game; to be sure of success; to be sure of life or health.
5. fit or worthy to be depended on; certain not to fail or disappoint expectation; unfailing; strong; permanent; enduring. "his sure word." the lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the lord. xxv.
6. the testimony of the lord is sure. xix.
7. which put in good sure leather sacks.
8. betrothed; engaged to marry. [obs.] the king was sure to dame elizabeth lucy, and her husband before god. t. more. i presume that you had been sure as fast as faith could bind you, man and wife.
9. free from danger; safe; secure. fear not; the forest is not three leagues off; if we recover that we are sure enough.
10. sura.
11. Certainly knowing and believing; confident beyond doubt; implicity trusting; unquestioning; positive.
12. Certain to find or retain; as, to be sure of game; to be sure of success; to be sure of life or health.
13. Fit or worthy to be depended on; certain not to fail or disappoint expectation; unfailing; strong; permanent; enduring.
14. Betrothed; engaged to marry.
15. Free from danger; safe; secure.
16. In a sure manner; safely; certainly. physically secure or dependable; "a sure footing"; "was on sure ground" certain not to fail; "a sure hand on the throttle" infallible or unfailing; "a sure sign of one's commitment" worthy of trust or confidence; "a sure friend".
17. sura, section of the Koran. sura (of the Koran).
18. Koran sura.
19. 1. If you are sure that something is true, you are certain that it is true. If you are not sure about something, you do not know for certain what the true situation is. He'd never been in a class before and he was not even sure that he should have been teaching The president has never been sure which direction he wanted to go in on this issue It is impossible to be sure about the value of land. = certain ¡Ù doubtful.
20. If someone is sure of getting something, they will definitely get it or they think they will definitely get it. A lot of people think that it's better to pay for their education so that they can be sure of getting quality.
21. emphasis If you say that something is sure to happen, you are emphasizing your belief that it will happen. With over 80 beaches to choose from, you are sure to find a place to lay your towel.
22. emphasis Sure is used to emphasize that something such as a sign or ability is reliable or accurate. Sharpe's leg and shoulder began to ache, a sure sign of rain She has a sure grasp of social issues such as literacy, poverty and child care.
23. emphasis If you tell someone to be sure to do something, you mean that they must not forget to do it. Be sure to read about how mozzarella is made, on page 65 Be sure you get your daily quota of calcium.
24. formulae Sure is an informal way of saying `yes' or `all right'. `He rang you?' --- `Sure. Last night.' `I'd like to be alone, O.K?' --- `Sure. O.K.'.
25. emphasis You can use sure in order to emphasize what you are saying. `Has the whole world just gone crazy?' --- `Sure looks that way, doesn't it.' = certainly.
26. You say sure enough, especially when telling a story, to confirm that something was really true or was actually happening. We found the English treacle pudding too good to resist. Sure enough, it was delicious.
27. If you say that something is for sure or that you know it for sure, you mean that it is definitely true. One thing's for sure, Astbury's vocal style hasn't changed much over the years.
28. If you make sure that something is done, you take action so that it is done. Make sure that you follow the instructions carefully.
29. If you make sure that something is the way that you want or expect it to be, you check that it is that way. He looked in the bathroom to make sure that he was alone.
30. If you say that something is a sure thing, you mean that you are certain that it will happen or be successful. This proposal is by no means a sure thing.
31. If you are sure of yourself, you are very confident about your own abilities or opinions. I'd never seen him like this, so sure of himself, so in command.