surefire

adjective

sure·​fire ˈshu̇r-ˈfī(-ə)r 

ˈshər-

: certain to get successful or expected results

a surefire recipe

Synonyms

• can't-miss
• certain
• fail-safe
• infallible
• sure
• unfailing

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

But lately, a degree hasn’t been the same surefire way to land a job. —Bypaolo Confino, Fortune, 26 Apr. 2024

The only surefire way to verify the use of covenants is to examine individual deeds through a title search. —Jeremy Lechtzin, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024

These days, the surefire way to get ahead in health insurance is to become a health care provider, and Elevance just upped the ante. —Tara Bannow, STAT, 18 Apr. 2024

Mondelēz’s cookie borders are crumbling Need a surefire way to make the European Union angry? —Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 17 Apr. 2024

These Skip Balls are an easier, kid-friendly alternative and a surefire way to get the whole family involved in water play. —Laura Lu, Parents, 15 Apr. 2024

This is a surefire way to have your email tossed straight into the spam folder, even enticing some users to unsubscribe altogether. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024

Shoveling food in your face while you’re distracted is a surefire way to increase stress and upset your stomach even more, Dr. Gentile says. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 10 Apr. 2024

Attractive vines are a surefire way to add interest to your garden, climbing up walls and fences, scrambling up trellises, and providing pretty blooms and seasonal color or lush green foliage. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

surefire

adjective

sure·​fire ˌshu̇r-ˌfī(ə)r 

: certain to get results