doubt
doubt Lexical Profile
doubt Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction regarding the truth, reality, or trustworthiness of something.
"The new evidence left no doubt in the minds of the jury regarding the defendant's innocence."
A specific reservation, misgiving, or unresolved question about a plan, situation, or course of action (often used in the plural).
"She expressed serious doubts about whether the construction project could be completed before winter."
• verb
To feel uncertain about something, or to consider a statement, claim, or event unlikely to be true.
"I seriously doubt that the train will arrive on schedule given the heavy snowfall."
To lack confidence or faith in the honesty, reliability, or ability of a person (or oneself).
"Even when faced with difficult obstacles, she never doubted her team's ability to find a solution."
Word Nuance & Usage
When introducing a clause, 'doubt' is typically followed by 'whether' or 'if' in affirmative statements (e.g., "I doubt whether he will come"), whereas 'that' is preferred in negative or interrogative statements where little uncertainty remains (e.g., "I do not doubt that he will succeed").
• Rhymes for doubt
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old French douter ("to fear, hesitate, or doubt"), from Latin dubitare ("to waver in opinion or hesitate"), related to dubius ("uncertain, literally moving in two directions"). The silent 'b' was reintroduced by 16th-century scholars to reflect the Latin spelling, though it was never pronounced in English.