surefire

adjective

sure·​fire ˈshu̇r-ˈfī(-ə)r How to pronounce surefire (audio)
ˈshər-
: certain to get successful or expected results
a surefire recipe

Examples of surefire in a Sentence

The movie is a surefire hit with teenagers. There is no surefire way to predict the outcome.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On Saturday afternoon in searing London heat, there was none of the surefire strut that overcame top seed and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals. Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025 Mopping the floors is a surefire way to ensure spills, splotches, smears, and footprints in no time. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 July 2025 An oversized white shirt tied in the front is a surefire option. René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 4 July 2025 There's no surefire way to avoid car depreciation entirely, but proper maintenance and upkeep can help drivers retain as much of their vehicle's value as possible. Charles Singh, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for surefire

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of surefire was in 1846

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Surefire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surefire. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

surefire

adjective
sure·​fire ˌshu̇r-ˌfī(ə)r How to pronounce surefire (audio)
: certain to get results
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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