a certain
idiom
1
—used to refer to a quality that is noticed but that is difficult to explain or describe
She has a certain elegance about her.
The house has a certain charm.
2
formal
—used with the name of a person one does not know
In 1889, a certain Mr. Kelly made a large donation to the church.
Examples of a certain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And one thing about Andrew that is important to remember is that his enthusiasm is a certain kind of spiritually connected chaos that anyone could do with at any age, at any point in their life.
—
Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Even his imitation of 20th-century leadership lacks a certain verve.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Since The Slow Rush, Tame Impala has continued to bring its music to the masses, and the project now represents a certain flavor of in-the-know cool that attracts ravers, stoners, popheads and everyone in between.
—Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
Even today, university-age students carry with them a certain concern for excessive American influence over Canada, despite living their whole lives in the era of continental economic integration.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a certain
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Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Even his imitation of 20th-century leadership lacks a certain verve.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Since The Slow Rush, Tame Impala has continued to bring its music to the masses, and the project now represents a certain flavor of in-the-know cool that attracts ravers, stoners, popheads and everyone in between.
—Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
Even today, university-age students carry with them a certain concern for excessive American influence over Canada, despite living their whole lives in the era of continental economic integration.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a certain
Cite this Entry
“A certain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20certain. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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