sure

adj

1. Physically secure and certain, non-failing, reliable.

   “This investment is a sure thing.”

   “The bailiff had a sure grip on the prisoner's arm.”

   “'In the end,' said Mustapha Mond, 'the Controllers realized that force was no good. The slower but infinitely surer methods of ectogenesis, Neo-Pavlovian conditioning and hypnopædia…'”

2. Certain in one's knowledge or belief.

   “The very excess of the extravagance, in fact, by suggesting to the reader continually the mere aeriality of the entire speculation, furnishes the surest means of disenchanting him from the horror which might else gather upon his feelings.”

   “The Celebrity, by arts unknown, induced Mrs. Judge Short and two other ladies to call at Mohair on a certain afternoon when Mr. Cooke was trying a trotter on the track. The three returned wondering and charmed with Mrs. Cooke; they were sure she had had no hand in the furnishing of that atrocious house.”

   “Roy: I'm 95% sure it was him. Jen: You... you said you were 99% sure. Roy: I'm 97% sure it was him.”

   “Are you sure to succeed, as polls say? —Well, I am at least certain of making it to the podium this time.”

   “He was sure of being a finalist.”

3. Certain to act or be a specified way.

   “Be sure to lock the door when you leave.”

4. (obsolete)Free from danger; safe; secure.

   “Feare not: the Forreſt is not three leagues off, / If we recouer that, we are ſure enough.”

5. (obsolete)Betrothed; engaged to marry.

   “c. 1513-1518 (probably date written, published after 1535) Thomas More, History of King Richard III The king was sure to Dame Elizabeth Lucy, and her husband before God.”

   “I presum'd […] [that] you had been sure, as fast as faith could bind you, man and wife.”

adv

1. (modal)Without doubt, certainly.

   “Sure he's coming! Why wouldn't he?”

   “"Did you kill that bear yourself?" ―"I sure did!"”

   “It sure is cold out”

   “Isn’t there another way to do it? – Sure is, if you don’t mind going back home.”

   “These high and gusty relishes of life, sure, Have no allayings of mortality in them.”

2. (archaic)Without fail, surely.

   “Theſe are the wings ſhall make it flie as ſwift, As dooth the lightening: or the breath of heauen, And kill as ſure as it ſwiftly flies.”

intj

1. Yes; of course.

   “"Could you tell me where the washrooms are?" "Sure, they're in the corner over there."”

2. Yes; I guess; you could say that; a weak or noncommittal positive response.

   “"Do you like cats?" "Sure."”

   “"Do you want me to put this in the garage?" "Sure, go ahead."”

3. You're welcome; polite response to being thanked.

   “"Thanks for helping me with that electrical fault." "Sure. Any time."”