uncertainty

Everyday

1. The feeling or state of not being sure about something. tree →
2. Something that you do not know or cannot be sure about. tree →
3. (science, maths) How much a measurement might be wrong; the range of possible values. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and news, «uncertainty» about the weather, the future or exam results can make people worried. In science, every measurement has some uncertainty (a ruler measures to the nearest millimetre). In maths, probability describes uncertainty: an event may be certain, likely, unlikely or impossible. Phrases: «a time of uncertainty», «uncertainty about», «measurement uncertainty».

Examples

• There is a lot of uncertainty about tomorrow's weather. tree →
• Moving to a new school brought months of uncertainty. tree →
• Every measurement has some uncertainty. tree →
• Probability helps us talk about uncertainty. tree →
• She felt uncertainty about which club to join. tree →
• Life is full of uncertainties. tree →
• Poverty with security is better than plenty in the midst of fear and uncertainty. tree →

Note

Uncountable (the feeling) and countable (uncertainties = things not known). From «un-» + «certain» + «-ty». Opposite: certainty. Maths: on the probability scale, 0 = impossible, 1 = certain; values in between show uncertainty.