English pronunciation · Words Starting with C
Certain Pronunciation
Certain is pronounced SUR-tuhn, IPA /ˈsɝtən/.
SUR-tuhn
US /ˈsɝtən/ · UK /ˈsɜːtən/
Syllables: SUR · tuhn (2 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
adjective and determiner: Sure that something is true, or particular without being named.
Audio for the American and British pronunciations plays on this page with JavaScript enabled.
Certain in a Sentence
- I am certain the door was locked.
- Certain members of the panel had already made up their minds.
- There is a certain smell about the place after rain.
Common Mispronunciations of Certain
Not ser-TAYN
The -ain ending shrinks to a weak tuhn, and in ordinary speech the t often disappears into a catch in the throat.
Not KER-tuhn
A c before e is soft in English. Read it as an s, as in centre and cellar.
More words starting with c · Every word in the pronunciation guide