Uncertainly

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /ʌnˈsɜːtən.li/

Definitions

1. In a hesitant or doubtful manner, without confidence or clear conviction about what to do or believe
2. In a manner characterized by doubt or lack of confidence, indicating a state of unpredictability or ambiguity regarding belief or action
3. Displaying hesitation or a lack of assurance, reflecting an ambiguous approach to decisions or opinions

Etymology: "Uncertainly" is a plain English formation: "uncertain" with the suffix "-ly" added to turn it into an adverb, meaning in an uncertain manner. "Uncertain" itself is built from the prefix "un-", meaning "not", and "certain," which came into English from Old French "certain," from Latin "certus," meaning "settled" or "decided," the same root that gives us "certify" and "certitude." The adverb took its form in Middle English, where spellings such as "uncerteynliche" and "uncertanlye" appear. Its older sense was close to the modern one: acting or speaking without firm knowledge or settled purpose. The word is a straightforward compound of familiar parts rather than a borrowing, so its history is mostly the history of the English words that combine to form it.

Synonyms: doubtfully, hesitantly, vaguely

Antonyms: certainly, confidently