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certain

/ˈsɝ.tən/
adjectivedeterminerpronoun

CERTAIN means sure or inevitable; it is a seven-letter word worth 9 points in Scrabble, with six anagrams and two one-letter neighbours.

NWL Collins ENABLE

Adjective 4 meanings

  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.”

  4. Unfailing; infallible.

Determiner 1 meaning

  1. Having been determined but not specified.

    “Certain people are good at running.”

Pronoun 1 meaning

  1. Unnamed or undescribed members (of).

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

Definitions: Wiktionary (CC BY-SA) via Kaikki/Wiktextract

Where it comes from

Etymology

From Middle English certeyn, certein, certain, borrowed from Old French certain, from a Vulgar Latin unattested form *certānus, extended form of Latin certus (“fixed, resolved, certain”), of the same origin as cretus, past participle of cernere (“to separate, perceive, decide”).

Similar and opposite words

Similar
unavoidableoneassuredclearconfidentdefinitedoubtlesspositive
Opposite
uncertainimpossibleincidental

CERTAIN expresses confidence in a belief, a fact that cannot reasonably be denied, or an event expected to happen. The word works in all three senses: you can be certain of an answer, call a result certain, or describe an outcome as certain to occur. Its everyday meaning contrasts with its unusual collection of anagrams, many of which are far less familiar.

CERTAIN at a glance

  • CERTAIN has seven letters: C, E, R, T, A, I, and N.
  • The Scrabble letter values add up to 9 points; C is the only tile worth more than one.
  • Its six anagrams include CREATIN, TACRINE, and CERATIN.
  • CURTAIN and PERTAIN are its two one-letter neighbours.
  • Its rhyme list has 12 words, including AGAIN, TRAIN, and MOUNTAIN.

What does CERTAIN mean?

CERTAIN means sure in your mind, established as fact, or sure to happen. The first sense describes confidence: “I am certain of the result.” The second treats something as beyond doubt, while the third points to an expected outcome. The definition also includes unfailing or infallible, a stronger claim than simple confidence.

Those meanings share a thread: little room for doubt. A person can feel certain and still be mistaken; an established fact, by contrast, is presented as settled. “Certain to happen” speaks about expectation rather than proof.

How many points is CERTAIN in Scrabble?

CERTAIN scores 9 points before any board bonuses. C contributes 3 points, while E, R, T, A, I, and N each contribute 1. Since the word uses all seven tiles in your rack, playing it earns the standard 50-point bingo bonus.

The six anagrams—CREATIN, TACRINE, CERATIN, CANTIER, CRINATE, and NACRITE—are a less practical set than the everyday word CERTAIN. Only CURTAIN and PERTAIN sit one letter away, and both change the first letter. Check your game's word list before relying on the anagrams, since familiar spelling does not guarantee familiar play.

For sound clues, the listed rhymes share the “ain” tail: AGAIN, MAIN, PAIN, TRAIN, and BRAIN are among them. MOUNTAIN and CAPTAIN also appear, so the rhyme group includes longer words as well as short ones.

Rhymes with certain

All rhymes

One letter away

Change one letter, keep the rest
  • CURTAIN9
  • PERTAIN9

Questions people ask

Is CERTAIN a valid Scrabble word?
Yes, CERTAIN is playable in Collins, NWL2023, and ENABLE. It is a familiar seven-letter word meaning sure, established, or inevitable. Its ordinary meaning makes it easier to recognize than its six anagrams, though the accepted word list can vary between games.
What words are one letter away from CERTAIN?
CURTAIN and PERTAIN are the two one-letter neighbours of CERTAIN. Each keeps the final six letters intact and changes only the opening letter. That makes them useful pattern matches when a crossword or word game gives you _ERTAIN.
What is the highest-scoring tile in CERTAIN?
C is CERTAIN’s highest-value tile, worth 3 Scrabble points. Each of the other six letters is worth 1 point, bringing the word’s face value to 9. A seven-tile play also qualifies for the standard 50-point bingo bonus before board premiums.

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