doubtful
doubtful Lexical Profile
doubtful Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Unlikely to occur, succeed, or prove true; not probable or predictable.
"Given the severe storm warning, it is doubtful that the ferry will depart on schedule this evening."
Feeling uncertain or undecided about the truth, validity, or probable outcome of something.
"The committee remained doubtful that the proposed budget cuts would solve the underlying financial deficit."
Of questionable quality, reliability, or morality; giving rise to suspicion or distrust.
"The historian dismissed the manuscript as a source of doubtful authenticity."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Doubtful' typically describes an outcome or situation that is unlikely or uncertain ('a doubtful result'), though it can also describe a person experiencing uncertainty; 'dubious' more strongly implies suspicion, unreliability, or questionable morality ('a dubious excuse').
• Rhymes for doubtful
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in Middle English from the noun 'doubt' (borrowed from Old French 'doute', ultimately from Latin 'dubitare', meaning 'to waver in opinion' or 'to hesitate') combined with the native English suffix '-ful'.