Sure meaning in English

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Definition

(Are you) sure?: (Are you) certain, positive? adjective
(-Can I borrow your car?) -Sure: (-Can I borrow your car?) -Of course, No problem, Yes. idiom
for sure: certainly, surely, definitely adverb
It sure is going to be a hot day.

Examples

  • "Icarus : Are you sure this is the right address, Mr. Horatio?"
  • "Gloria : Oh... Are you sure you want to see inside this room?"
  • "Edward : Sure, Brian, sure."
  • "Before you ask, yes, I did a DNA test, and you are 99.9% sure to be the father."
  • "Danica : We sure are, Judgy Boy."
  • "Prosecutor : How can you be so sure?"
  • "Horatio : Sure!"
  • "Edward : Sure!"
  • "Bruno : Don't worry sir, I'm sure we can work this out... Let's see... I think you should definitely wear the purple shirt with green stripes – it matches your ears."
  • "I'm sure you'll find the job as gratifying as I found picking up your soiled tissues and discarded chocolate wrappers for the past decade as your special assistant."
  • "Inga : Well, ja, ok sure."
  • "Susie : I'm not sure, actually."
  • "I'm sure I don't need to tell you just how important Mr Delavigne is in San Francisco society."
  • "I am sure that you would agree that this occasion deserves an extra special celebration."
  • "I'm sure!"
  • "Horatio : (thinking) I'm sure he won't mind if I borrow his HI-FI speakers!"
  • "Marie-Laure : How can you be so sure, Jean-Pierre?"
  • "And I'd just like to say that the complex theoretical algorithms that I learned in your calculus and trigonometry classes will help me every day in the real world, I'm sure of it."
  • "Sure, she was popular, had nice skin, and a pony named Penelope, but really, was she happy?"
  • "Real estate agent: Sure!"
Exercise 1
In the text above, find the synonyms for the following words:

Example: talk = ? You should type in "discussion" (from the phrase "We will have a discussion on the subject of Delavigne's position...")

"a matter" = "sure" = "planned" =

In the text above, find the synonyms for the following words:

Example: talk = ? You should type in "discussion" (from the phrase "We will have a discussion on the subject of Delavigne's position...")

"a matter" = an issue 1 "sure" = confident 2 "planned" =scheduled 3
1 an issue: An "issue" is a "matter". The term refers to a subject of interest or a general topic.
2 confident: "To be confident about something" is another way of saying that one is "sure" about it.
3 scheduled: In this context, "to plan" something is another way of saying "to schedule" it.
Exercise 2
"Flying is simple, affordable, fun and safe."

Select the antonyms (words with an opposite meaning) of the following terms.
Example: "Easy" ---> "Difficult"

"Affordable" --->

"Safe" --->
"Flying is simple, affordable, fun and safe."

Select the antonyms (words with an opposite meaning) of the following terms.
Example: "Easy" ---> "Difficult"

"Affordable" ---> Pricey 1

"Safe" ---> Dangerous 2
1 Pricey: This is the correct answer. "Pricey" shares a similar meaning with "expensive" and both are opposite in meaning to "affordable". When something is "affordable" it is within one's (financial) means or "not too expensive". Example: Houses were affordable 10 years ago, but now I don't have enough money to pay for one. A "pricey (restaurant)" is expensive.
1 Cheap: This is incorrect. The term "cheap" is not an antonym of "affordable" and both terms have similar meanings. A "cheap (holiday)" is one which is inexpensive; an "affordable (holiday)" is within one's price range: a holiday that one can "afford".
1 Suitable: This is incorrect. A "suitable (offer)" is one which is convenient or appropriate. We use the term "unsuitable" or "inappropriate" to describe the opposite meaning.
1 Tough: This is incorrect. "Tough" is an antonym of the term "easy" and shares a similar meaning with "hard" or "difficult". For example: My exam was very tough, but fortunately I passed.
2 Dangerous: This is the correct answer. The terms "safe" and "dangerous" have opposite meanings. When we read that flying is "safe" this means that it is free from danger or without risks. Example: At night, I don't feel very safe where I live.
2 Sure: This is incorrect. "Sure" is not an antonym of "safe". "Sure" means "certain", for example: I am sure that he will arrive soon. Terms which have an opposite meaning to "sure" are: "unsure" and "uncertain".
2 Enjoyable: This is incorrect. "Enjoyable" is not an antonym of "safe". An "enjoyable (trip)" is one which is pleasurable or fun. "Unpleasant" is a term which has an opposite meaning to "enjoyable".
2 Sad: This is incorrect. "Sad" is not an antonym of "safe". A "sad (story)" is one which is unhappy.

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