sureness
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʃˈɔːnəs/
US
- /ˈʃʊrnəs/noun
Description
- confidence
- certainty
- conviction
Sureness is not just knowing something; it is the feeling deep down that you are right or that something is true. It can be the steady hand of a surgeon, the calm voice of someone telling the truth, or the quiet confidence of an artist putting brush to canvas. A lack of sureness can lead to hesitation and doubt, while strong sureness helps a person act. You might admire the sureness with which a seasoned sailor moves through stormy seas, or feel it yourself when you finally understand a difficult idea. It is not the same as arrogance; it is a feeling of being convinced in your beliefs, judgment, or abilities.
Sureness is the feeling of being sure. It includes confidence, certainty, and conviction. It goes beyond simply believing something to be true; it also carries a strong sense of trust in oneself, in one's judgment, or in an idea. Think of a tightrope walker: physical skill matters, but without sureness in their balance and ability, they would not take that first step.
Sureness can appear in different ways. It might be the quiet sureness of someone who has mastered a craft after years of practice, like a carpenter building a chair with steady hands. Or it could be the bold sureness of an entrepreneur launching a new venture despite the risks.
The absence of sureness often shows up as hesitation, doubt, or anxiety. A politician lacking sureness might stumble over words during a debate, while a student who is not sure of an answer may avoid eye contact. However, it is important to distinguish sureness from arrogance. True sureness is grounded in competence and understanding, while arrogance often hides insecurity.
In literature, sureness can be a powerful character trait. A hero with unwavering sureness inspires others, while a villain driven by false sureness can be frightening. Shakespeare's Hamlet famously struggles with a lack of it, and that uncertainty helps lead to his tragic downfall.
Ultimately, sureness is an inner sense of certainty that guides actions and shapes beliefs. It often supports success, resilience, and the ability to move forward without constant doubt.
Examples
- 1
Workplace confidence
She answered with sureness, even though it was her first week on the job.
- 2
Team decision
His sureness about the decision helped calm the rest of the team.
- 3
Medical reassurance
There was a quiet sureness in the doctor's voice.
- 4
Skilled touch
Years of practice gave her a sureness of touch at the piano.
Phrase
sureness of touch
skill and confidence in how someone does something
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- surenessnoun