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- Dictionarydoubt·ful/ˈdoutf(ə)l/
adjective
- 1. feeling uncertain about something: "he looked doubtful, but gave a nod" Similar Opposite
- 2. not known with certainty: "the fire was of doubtful origin" Similar Opposite
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The meaning of DOUBTFUL is lacking a definite opinion, conviction, or determination. How to use doubtful in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Doubtful.
DOUBTFUL definition: 1. If you are doubtful about something, you are uncertain about it: 2. If a situation is doubtful…. Learn more.
Doubtful, dubious, incredulous, skeptical imply reluctance or unwillingness to be convinced. To be doubtful about something is to feel that it is open to question or that more evidence is needed to prove it: to be doubtful about the statements of witnesses.
When you're doubtful about something, you're not sure about it. You might feel doubtful about the picnic you've planned if the forecast calls for torrential rain. Whether you're uncertain, undecided, or suspicious, you can describe yourself as doubtful.
To be doubtful about something is to feel that it is open to question or that more evidence is needed to prove it: to be doubtful about the statements of witnesses. dubious implies vacillation, unsureness, or suspicion: dubious about suggested methods of manufacture. incredulous means unwilling or reluctant to believe: incredulous at the good ...
1. Subject to or causing doubt: a doubtful claim; doubtful prospects. 2. Experiencing or showing doubt: Doubtful that the cord would hold, we strengthened it. 3. Of uncertain outcome; undecided. 4. Raising doubts as to legitimacy, honesty, or respectability; suspicious: the candidate's doubtful past. See Usage Note at doubt. doubt′ful·ly adv.
1. Dubious; not settled in opinion. Methinks I should know you, and know this man; Yet I am doubtful. William Shakespeare, King Lear.
In doubt; not clear or definite; ambiguous. Webster's New World. Experiencing or showing doubt. Doubtful that the cord would hold, we strengthened it. American Heritage. Similar definitions. Feeling doubt; unsettled in opinion or belief. Webster's New World. Similar definitions. Not clearly predictable; uncertain; unsure. Webster's New World.
1. : to call into question the truth of : to be uncertain or in doubt about. He doubts everyone's word. 2. a. : to lack confidence in : distrust. … find myself doubting him even when I know that he is honest … H. L. Mencken. b. : to consider unlikely. I doubt if I can go. 3. archaic. : fear. I doubt I have been beguiled! Sir Walter Scott. b.
(a feeling of) not being certain about something, especially about how good or true it is: have doubts about I'm having doubts about his ability to do the job. doubt about If there's any doubt about the rocket's engines, we ought to cancel the launch.
