a certain

phrase

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

Secreted in peaceful Sant Francesc Square, adjacent to the 13th-century church of the same name, the hotel has a certain anonymity while being in the heart of the historic quarter. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Some scenes in Ba’s Book, such as one in which father and daughter disagree on how detailed a certain reenactment has to be, also remind viewers that different people process the world differently. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

There's a certain simple logic to the thought of bringing down the price of fuel by banning its export. — Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

In a certain weird way, that play became a turning point in a 27-19 win for the Chiefs because Stroud was visibly shaken and the Texans drooped from there. — Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026

Rhymes for a certain

• uncertain
• bertin
• curtain