Spanish word

incertidumbre

Pronunciation

IPA/inθeɾtiˈðumbɾe/

Meaning

  • feminine noununcertainty

Example

En tiempos de crisis, hay mucha incertidumbre sobre el futuro.

In times of crisis, there is much uncertainty about the future.

Illustration for incertidumbre (uncertainty)

More examples

Hay incertidumbre sobre los plazos del proyecto.

There is a state of uncertainty about the project's deadlines.

Core concept

A person standing at a foggy crossroads with the path signs hidden.

Common phrases

  • hay incertidumbre

    state of uncertainty

  • nivel de incertidumbre

    level of uncertainty

  • reducir la incertidumbre

    reduce uncertainty

Similar words

duda: Not being sure that something is true or correct.
inseguridad: Feeling unsafe or lacking stability and protection.
indecisión: Unable to choose between options; hesitating over a decision.
ambigüedad: Situation or expression whose meaning is unclear and open to interpretation.

Definition in Spanish

Situación en la que falta información suficiente para decidir o prever, generando dudas sobre el futuro.

Word origin

From Latin incertitūdō, formed from in- 'not' plus certus 'certain', originally naming a state of not being certain.

Usage tips

  • Common collocations are 'hay incertidumbre', 'generar incertidumbre', and 'vivir en la incertidumbre', and the adjective equivalent is 'incierto' rather than using incertidumbre as an adjective.

Other meanings

  • unpredictabilitynoun

Opposites

Related words

  • inciertouncertainadjective
  • certidumbrecertaintynoun

Word lists with this word