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sure¹
/SUJ(r); SO;(r); US SUr/
adjective
(surer, sur·est)
(also more sure or most sure)
1 [after v] confident that something is true or correct; certain about something 
(syn certain) (opposite unsure)
[+ that]
▪ Are you sure that we’ve met before?
▪ [+ about sth]
Are you quite sure about it?
▪ [+ wh-clause]
I’m not sure who can lend me some money.
▪ [+ if/whether-clause]
I am not sure if he is pretending.
▪ [+ of sth]
I am not sure of the results.
▪ ‘Is he married?’ ‘I am not sure.’
2 [after v] confident that you will receive something or that something will happen 
▪ [+ of sth]
I am sure of one thing – you will lose.
▪ [+ of doing sth]
To be sure of winning the game, he trained hard.
3 definitely going to happen or do something; certain to occur or be done
▪ [+ to inf]
The rain is sure to stop.
▪ It’s sure to be a great wedding party.
▪ She is sure to pass the test.
4 [usu before n] reliable or trustworthy; that can be believed or depended on 
▪ It’s a sure sign/indication of a bright future.
5 sure way to / of doing sth
a reliable or certain way of doing something; a method that is guaranteed to work
▪ This is a sure way to improve your English.
■ IDIOM| be sure and/to do sth
make certain that something is done or happens; take action so that something is guaranteed 
▪ Be sure to call me as soon as you are home.
| for sure
(a) with certainty; definitely; without doubt 
(syn certainly; definitely)
▪ I don’t know for sure.
▪ (US) “Will you join us?” “Sure.”
(b) used for emphasis to strengthen what you are saying 
▪ We need more money. That’s for sure.
| make sure
(a) find out or check that something is correct, complete, or has been done; ensure
▪ Make sure that all doors have been locked.
(b) ensure that something happens or is true; take action so that something is guaranteed
▪ Make sure that you come on time.
| have a sure hold/footing
have a firm grip or stable position; be securely supported or well established
▪ The company now has a sure hold in the market.
▪ The climber tested the rock to get a sure hold.
| sure as hell
used for strong emphasis; very informal and often rude/intense way to stress certainty
▪ If Ihad the money, I, sure as hell, would buy the house.
| sure thing
(informal, spoken) used to agree with someone or to say “certainly / of course / no problem”; also used to mean something that is very certain 
▪ ‘Can you get me a ticket?’ ‘Sure thing.’ 
| that's for sure
used to emphasize that something is definitely true or that the speaker is completely certain about it
▪ She’s changed a lot, that's for sure.
| sure of yourself
confident in your abilities, opinions, or actions; self-assured 
▪ He is very sure of himself when speaking in public.
| to be sure
used to admit or acknowledge that something is true before saying something that contrasts with it 
▪ I doubted it, to be sure, but I could do it.

sure²
/SUJ(r); SO;(r); US SUr/
adverb
1 (informal, especially US)
spoken) certainly; of course; yes. used to show agreement or willingness to do something 
(syn yes)
▪ ‘Can I borrow your pen?’ ‘Sure.’
2 (US, Informal)
used as a polite and informal response to ‘thank you’ 
▪ ‘Thanks, Carol.’ ‘Sure–anytime.’
3 (US, Informal)
used to emphasize that something is true 
▪ It sure is very cool.
4 used at the beginning of a sentence to acknowledge a fact or truth before adding a different or contrasting point 
▪ Sure he is rich, but is he happy?
▪ Sure, it's expensive, but it's worth the money.
■ IDIOM|(as) sure as eggs is eggs
(old- fashioned, informal, UK) used to say that something is absolutely certain or definitely true
| sure enough
as expected; just as someone thought or predicted
▪ Sure enough the meeting started on time.