Origin: Latin
suffix -ure
Unsure has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
Adjective
Adjective
1
lacking self-confidence
"stood in the doorway diffident and abashed"
"problems that call for bold not timid responses"
"a very unsure young man"
2
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
"uncertain of his convictions"
"unsure of himself and his future"
"moving with uncertain (or unsure) steps"
"an uncertain smile"
"touched the ornaments with uncertain fingers"
3
uncertain
"She remained unsure about whether to accept the job offer until she could clarify the starting salary."
Example Sentences
"stood in the doorway diffident and abashed"
adjective
"problems that call for bold not timid responses"
adjective
"a very unsure young man"
adjective
"uncertain of his convictions"
adjective
"unsure of himself and his future"
adjective
"moving with uncertain (or unsure) steps"
adjective
"an uncertain smile"
adjective
"touched the ornaments with uncertain fingers"
adjective
Origin
Unsure comes from Middle English, where it was formed by combining the prefix un- with sure. The word entered modern usage as a straightforward negation meaning not certain or confident.