doubt
Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Acronyms, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
Related to doubt: Reasonable Doubt
doubt
(dout)v. doubt·ed, doubt·ing, doubts
v.tr.
1. To be undecided or skeptical about: began to doubt some accepted doctrines.
2. To tend to disbelieve; distrust: doubts politicians when they make sweeping statements.
3. To regard as unlikely: I doubt that we'll arrive on time.
4. Archaic To suspect; fear.
v.intr.
To be undecided or skeptical.
n.
Idioms: 1.
a. The state of being uncertain about the truth or reliability of something. See Synonyms at uncertainty.
b. often doubts A feeling of uncertainty or distrust: had doubts about his ability.
2. A point about which one is uncertain or skeptical: reassured me by answering my doubts.
3. The condition of being unsettled or unresolved: an outcome still in doubt.
beyond/without doubt
Without question; certainly; definitely.
no doubt
1. Certainly.
2. Probably.
[Middle English douten, from Old French douter, from Latin dubitāre, to waver; see dwo- in Indo-European roots.]
doubt′er n.
Usage Note: The choice of what conjunction to use following doubt and doubtful is a perennial usage problem. When doubt and doubtful indicate strong uncertainty, the Usage Panel prefers whether and that over if. In our 2008 survey, 51 percent indicated that they would use that, while 43 percent preferred whether in the following sentence: At one time it was doubtful [that/whether/if] the company could recover from its financial difficulties, but the government loan seems to have helped. Only 6 percent said they would favor if in this sentence, probably because if has a more informal tone. When the expectation for the outcome is negative, that tends to be used. Some 86 percent of the Panel prefer that in the sentence I doubt [that/whether/if] it will rain tomorrow (where the expectation is that it probably won't rain), with whether getting the preference of only 6 percent and if getting 7 percent. Note that, in certain kinds of sentences, the choice of conjunction can carry subtle differences in implication. That is the best choice when the truth of the clause following doubt is assumed, as in negative sentences and questions. Thus I never doubted for a minute that I would be rescued implies "I was certain that I would be rescued." By the same token, Do you doubt that you will be paid? may be understood as a rhetorical question meaning "Surely you believe that you will be paid," whereas Do you doubt whether you will be paid? expresses a genuine request for information (and might be followed by Because if you do, you should make the client post a bond). Note that it is also acceptable to omit that in these sentences: I doubt she will accept the nomination. In other cases, however, this distinction between whether and that is not always observed. · When doubt is negated to indicate belief or certainty, the clause following doubt is sometimes introduced with but that or simply but, as in I do not doubt but that they will come. This construction has been used by many fine writers, but some critics object to its use in formal writing. Dropping the but easily solves this problem. See Usage Notes at but, if.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
doubt
(daʊt)n
1. uncertainty about the truth, fact, or existence of something (esp in the phrases in doubt, without doubt, beyond a shadow of doubt, etc)
2. (often plural) lack of belief in or conviction about something: all his doubts about the project disappeared.
3. an unresolved difficulty, point, etc
4. (Philosophy) philosophy the methodical device, esp in the philosophy of Descartes, of identifying certain knowledge as the residue after rejecting any proposition which might, however improbably, be false
5. obsolete fear
6. give someone the benefit of the doubt to presume someone suspected of guilt to be innocent; judge leniently
7. no doubt almost certainly
vb
8. (tr; may take a clause as object) to be inclined to disbelieve: I doubt we are late.
9. (tr) to distrust or be suspicious of: he doubted their motives.
10. (intr) to feel uncertainty or be undecided
11. (tr; may take a clause as object) Scot to be inclined to believe
12. (tr) archaic to fear
13. I wouldn't doubt someone Irish I would expect nothing else from someone
[C13: from Old French douter, from Latin dubitāre]
ˈdoubtable adj
ˈdoubtably adv
ˈdoubter n
ˈdoubtingly adv
Usage: Where a clause follows doubt in a positive sentence, it was formerly considered correct to use whether (I doubt whether he will come ), but now if and that are also acceptable. In negative statements, doubt is followed by that: I do not doubt that he is telling the truth. In such sentences, but (I do not doubt but that he is telling the truth) is redundant
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
doubt
(daʊt)v.t.
1. to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely.
2. to distrust.
3. Archaic. to fear.
v.i. 4. to be uncertain.
n. 5. a feeling of uncertainty.
6. distrust or suspicion.
7. a situation causing uncertainty.
Idioms: 1. beyond (a or the shadow of) a doubt, with certainty; definitely.
2. in doubt, in a state of uncertainty.
3. no doubt,
a. probably.
b. certainly.
4. without doubt, certainly.
[1175–1225; Middle English douten < Anglo-French, Old French douter < Latin dubitāre to waver, hesitate, be uncertain (frequentative of Old Latin dubāre)]
doubt′a•ble, adj.
doubt′er, n.
doubt′ing•ly, adv.
usage: doubt and doubtful may be followed by a subordinate clause beginning with that, whether, or if. Usage guides generally distinguish among these three words when used in a positive sentence, recommending that to express conviction (I doubt that they meant to offend you) and whether and if to indicate uncertainty: It's doubtful whether (or if) anyone actually saw the notice. The expressions doubt but and doubt but that occur in all varieties of standard speech and writing: I don't doubt but (that) she is sincere. doubt but what occurs mainly in informal speech and writing: There's no doubt but what the frost will hurt the crops.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
doubt
Doubt can be a noun or a verb.
1. 'doubt' used as a noun
If you have a doubt or doubts about something, you feel uncertain about it and you don't know if it is true or possible.
I had moments of doubt.
The report raises doubts about current methods.
2. 'no doubt'
If you have no doubts about something, you are certain that it is true.
Francesca had no doubts about the outcome of the trial.
If you say there is no doubt that something is true, you mean that it is certainly true.
There's no doubt that it's going to be difficult.
You must use a that-clause after there is no doubt. Don't use an if-clause or a whether-clause.
You add no doubt to a statement to say that you are assuming that something is true, although you can't really be certain about it.
As Jennifer has no doubt told you, we are leaving tomorrow.
The contract for this will no doubt be widely advertised.
3. 'doubt' used as a verb
If you doubt whether something is true or possible, you think it is probably not true or possible.
I doubt whether it would work.
I doubt if Alan will meet her.
If someone says that something is true, or asks you if something is true, you can show that you think it is unlikely by saying I doubt it.
'Do your family know you're here?' – 'I doubt it.'
Be Careful!
Don't say 'I doubt so'.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
doubt
Past participle: doubted
Gerund: doubting
| Imperative |
|---|
| doubt |
| doubt |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  doubt - the state of being unsure of somethingcognitive state, state of mind - the state of a person's cognitive processes arriere pensee, mental reservation, reservation - an unstated doubt that prevents you from accepting something wholeheartedly indecision, indecisiveness, irresolution - doubt concerning two or more possible alternatives or courses of action; "his indecision was only momentary but the opportunity was lost" peradventure - doubt or uncertainty as to whether something is the case; "this proves beyond peradventure that he is innocent" suspense - an uncertain cognitive state; "the matter remained in suspense for several years" |
| 2. | doubt - uncertainty about the truth or factuality or existence of something; "the dubiousness of his claim"; "there is no question about the validity of the enterprise" uncertainness, uncertainty, precariousness - being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance; "the uncertainty of the outcome"; "the precariousness of his income" | |
| Verb | 1. | doubt - consider unlikely or have doubts about; "I doubt that she will accept his proposal of marriage" disbelieve, discredit - reject as false; refuse to accept |
| 2. | doubt - lack confidence in or have doubts about; "I doubt these reports"; "I suspect her true motives"; "she distrusts her stepmother" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
doubt
noun
1. uncertainty, confusion, hesitation, dilemma, scepticism, misgiving, suspense, indecision, bewilderment, lack of confidence, hesitancy, perplexity, vacillation, lack of conviction, irresolution, dubiety They were troubled and full of doubt.
uncertainty confidence, belief, conviction, certainty
uncertainty confidence, belief, conviction, certainty
2. suspicion, scepticism, distrust, questioning, fear, reservations, cynicism, disbelief, apprehension, mistrust, misgivings, disquiet, qualms, incredulity, lack of faith, misbelief Where there is doubt, may we bring faith.
suspicion trust, confidence, belief
suspicion trust, confidence, belief
verb
1. be uncertain, question, query, be sceptical, have reservations about, be dubious They doubted whether that could happen.
2. waver, hesitate, vacillate, sway, fluctuate, dither (chiefly Brit.), haver, oscillate, chop and change, blow hot and cold (informal), keep changing your mind, shillyshally (informal), be irresolute or indecisive, swither (Scot.) Stop doubting and start loving.
3. disbelieve, question, challenge, suspect, dispute, query, distrust, mistrust, cast doubt on, have doubts about, lack confidence in, have misgivings about, misgive I have no reason to doubt his word.
disbelieve believe, accept, trust, buy (slang), swallow (informal), take on board, have faith in
disbelieve believe, accept, trust, buy (slang), swallow (informal), take on board, have faith in
in doubt doubtful, unsettled, undecided, unconfirmed, up in the air, in limbo, open to question The outcome was still in doubt.
no doubt certainly, surely, probably, of course, admittedly, doubtless, unquestionably, assuredly, doubtlessly No doubt I'm biased.
Quotations
"There lives more faith in honest doubt,"
"Believe me, than in half the creeds" [Alfred Tennyson In Memoriam A.H.H.]
"I show you doubt, to prove that faith exists" [Robert Browning Balaustion's Adventure]
"If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties" [Francis Bacon The Advancement of Learning]
"Our doubts are traitors"
"And make us lose the good we oft might win"
"By fearing to attempt" [William Shakespeare Measure for Measure]
"Doubt of the reality of love ends by making us doubt everything" [Henri Frédéric Amiel Journal]
"There lives more faith in honest doubt,"
"Believe me, than in half the creeds" [Alfred Tennyson In Memoriam A.H.H.]
"I show you doubt, to prove that faith exists" [Robert Browning Balaustion's Adventure]
"If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties" [Francis Bacon The Advancement of Learning]
"Our doubts are traitors"
"And make us lose the good we oft might win"
"By fearing to attempt" [William Shakespeare Measure for Measure]
"Doubt of the reality of love ends by making us doubt everything" [Henri Frédéric Amiel Journal]
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
doubt
verb1. To be uncertain, disbelieving, or skeptical about:
Idiom: have one's doubts.
1. A lack of conviction or certainty:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
pochybnostpochybovatmít pochybnostinejistotapochyba
tvivltvivle
kõhklemakõhklus
epäilläepäilyepäröinti
sumnjasumnjati
kétség
efa, efast umefast umefi, vafi, vafamál
疑う疑問する訝しむ疑い
의심의심하다
dubitare
abejotiabejotinaiabejotinasbe abejonėsdvejoti
apšaubītšaubasšaubīties
mať pochybnosti
dvomdvomiti
tviveltvivla
ความสงสัยสงสัย
nghi ngờsự nghi ngờ
doubt
[daʊt]A. N (= uncertainty, qualm) → duda f
there is some doubt about it → sobre esto existen dudas
beyond doubt → fuera de duda
beyond all reasonable doubt → más allá de toda duda
to cast doubt on → poner en duda
to clear up sb's doubts → sacar a algn de dudas
to have one's doubts about sth → tener sus dudas acerca de algo
to be in doubt [person] → tener dudas, dudar; [sb's honesty etc] → ser dudoso
she was in doubt whether to → dudaba si ...
the matter is still in some doubt → el caso sigue siendo dudoso
if or when in doubt → en caso de duda
no doubt! → ¡sin duda!
no doubt he will come → seguro que viene
there is no doubt of that → de eso no cabe duda
there is no doubt that → es indudable que, no cabe duda de que
I have no doubt that it is true → no me cabe duda de que es verdad
let there be no doubt about it → que nadie dude de esto
the marks left no doubt about how he died → las señales no dejaban lugar a dudas sobre cómo murió
to throw doubt on → poner en duda
without (a) doubt → sin duda (alguna)
see also plant B2
there is some doubt about it → sobre esto existen dudas
beyond doubt → fuera de duda
beyond all reasonable doubt → más allá de toda duda
to cast doubt on → poner en duda
to clear up sb's doubts → sacar a algn de dudas
to have one's doubts about sth → tener sus dudas acerca de algo
to be in doubt [person] → tener dudas, dudar; [sb's honesty etc] → ser dudoso
she was in doubt whether to → dudaba si ...
the matter is still in some doubt → el caso sigue siendo dudoso
if or when in doubt → en caso de duda
no doubt! → ¡sin duda!
no doubt he will come → seguro que viene
there is no doubt of that → de eso no cabe duda
there is no doubt that → es indudable que, no cabe duda de que
I have no doubt that it is true → no me cabe duda de que es verdad
let there be no doubt about it → que nadie dude de esto
the marks left no doubt about how he died → las señales no dejaban lugar a dudas sobre cómo murió
to throw doubt on → poner en duda
without (a) doubt → sin duda (alguna)
see also plant B2
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
doubt
[ˈdaʊt] n (= uncertainty) → doute m
I have my doubts → J'ai des doutes.
to raise doubts about sth → susciter des doutes à propos de qch
there can be little doubt that ... → il y a peu de doute (pour) que ...
without doubt, without a doubt → sans aucun doute
to be in doubt (= unsure) [person] → avoir des doutes (= uncertain) [thing] → incertain(e)
to be beyond doubt [ability] → être hors de doute; [result] → être sans appel
By the interval, the result was beyond doubt → À la mi-temps, le score était sans appel.
to show beyond doubt that ... → démontrer de manière irréfutable que ...
to show sth beyond doubt → démontrer amplement qch
to prove sth beyond doubt → prouver qch de manière irréfutable
to know beyond doubt that ... → avoir l'intime conviction que ...
no doubt (= probably) → sans doute
I have my doubts → J'ai des doutes.
to raise doubts about sth → susciter des doutes à propos de qch
there can be little doubt that ... → il y a peu de doute (pour) que ...
without doubt, without a doubt → sans aucun doute
to be in doubt (= unsure) [person] → avoir des doutes (= uncertain) [thing] → incertain(e)
to be beyond doubt [ability] → être hors de doute; [result] → être sans appel
By the interval, the result was beyond doubt → À la mi-temps, le score était sans appel.
to show beyond doubt that ... → démontrer de manière irréfutable que ...
to show sth beyond doubt → démontrer amplement qch
to prove sth beyond doubt → prouver qch de manière irréfutable
to know beyond doubt that ... → avoir l'intime conviction que ...
no doubt (= probably) → sans doute
vt
(= consider unlikely) → douter de
I doubt it → J'en doute.
I doubt it very much → J'en doute fort.
to doubt (that) ... (= consider it unlikely that) → douter que ... + subj
I doubt he'll agree → Je doute qu'il soit d'accord.
I don't doubt that ... (= consider it likely that ...) → je ne doute pas que ...
to doubt if ..., to doubt whether ... (= consider it unlikely that) → douter que ... + subj
I doubt it → J'en doute.
I doubt it very much → J'en doute fort.
to doubt (that) ... (= consider it unlikely that) → douter que ... + subj
I doubt he'll agree → Je doute qu'il soit d'accord.
I don't doubt that ... (= consider it likely that ...) → je ne doute pas que ...
to doubt if ..., to doubt whether ... (= consider it unlikely that) → douter que ... + subj
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
doubt
n → Zweifel m; to have one’s doubts as to or about something → (so) seine Bedenken hinsichtlich einer Sache (gen) → haben; I have my doubts about her → ich habe bei ihr (so) meine Bedenken; I have no doubts about taking the job → ich habe keine Bedenken, die Stelle anzunehmen; there’s no doubt about it → daran gibt es keinen Zweifel; I have no doubt about it → ich bezweifle das nicht; I have doubts whether he will come → ich bezweifle, dass er kommt; to cast doubt on something → etw in Zweifel ziehen; there is room for doubt → es ist durchaus nicht sicher; to be open to doubt → fragwürdig sein; his reputation is in doubt → sein Ruf wird infrage or in Frage gestellt; to be in (some) doubt about something → Zweifel an etw (dat) → haben; to be in little doubt as to something → keine Bedenken hinsichtlich einer Sache (gen) → haben; I am in no doubt as to what or about what he means → ich bin mir völlig im Klaren darüber, was er meint; the outcome is still in doubt → das Ergebnis ist noch ungewiss; when in doubt → im Zweifelsfall; no doubt he will come tomorrow → höchstwahrscheinlich kommt er morgen; without (a) doubt → ohne Zweifel; I knew beyond doubt that … → ich wusste ohne jeden Zweifel, dass …; it must be proved beyond reasonable doubt → es muss ganz unzweifelhaft bewiesen werden
vt → bezweifeln; sb’s honesty, truth of statement → anzweifeln, Zweifel haben an (+dat); to doubt somebody’s word → jds Wort anzweifeln; I’m sorry I doubted you (what you said) → es tut mir leid, dass ich dir nicht geglaubt habe; (your loyalty etc) → es tut mir leid, dass ich an dir gezweifelt habe; I doubt it (very much) → das möchte ich (doch stark) bezweifeln, das bezweifle ich (sehr); I don’t doubt it → das bezweifle ich (auch gar) nicht; I doubt whether he will come → ich bezweifle, dass er kommen wird
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
doubt
[daʊt]1. n → dubbio
to be in doubt → essere in dubbio
without (a) doubt → senza dubbio
beyond doubt → fuor di dubbio
if in doubt → nell'incertezza, in caso di dubbio
no doubt he will come → è probabile che venga
there is no doubt of that → su questo non c'è dubbio
I have my doubts about whether he'll come → ho i miei dubbi che venga
to be in doubt → essere in dubbio
without (a) doubt → senza dubbio
beyond doubt → fuor di dubbio
if in doubt → nell'incertezza, in caso di dubbio
no doubt he will come → è probabile che venga
there is no doubt of that → su questo non c'è dubbio
I have my doubts about whether he'll come → ho i miei dubbi che venga
2. vt
a. (truth of statement) → dubitare di
to doubt one's own eyes → non credere ai propri occhi
I doubt it very much → ne dubito proprio
you're a real doubting Thomas → sei proprio come San Tommaso
to doubt one's own eyes → non credere ai propri occhi
I doubt it very much → ne dubito proprio
you're a real doubting Thomas → sei proprio come San Tommaso
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
doubt
(daut) verb1. to feel uncertain about, but inclined not to believe. I doubt if he'll come now; He might have a screwdriver, but I doubt it.
2. not to be sure of the reliability of. Sometimes I doubt your intelligence!
noun a feeling of not being sure and sometimes of being suspicious. There is some doubt as to what happened; I have doubts about that place.
ˈdoubtful adjective1. feeling doubt; uncertain what to think, expect etc. He is doubtful about the future of the school.
2. able to be doubted; not clear. The outcome is doubtful; a doubtful result.
3. uncertain but rather unlikely, unhopeful etc. It is doubtful whether this will work; a doubtful improvement.
4. suspicious. He's rather a doubtful character.
ˈdoubtfully adverbˈdoubtfulness noun
ˈdoubtless adverb
probably. John has doubtless told you about me.
beyond doubt certain(ly). Beyond doubt, they will arrive tomorrow; His honesty is beyond doubt.
in doubt uncertain. The result of the dispute is still in doubt.
no doubt surely; probably. No doubt you would like to see your bedroom; He will come back again tomorrow, no doubt.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
doubt
→ شَكّ, يَرْتاَبُ pochybnost, pochybovat tvivl, tvivle Zweifel, zweifeln αμφιβάλω, αμφιβολία duda, dudar epäillä, epäily doute, douter sumnja, sumnjati dubbio, dubitare 疑い, 疑う 의심, 의심하다 twijfel, twijfelen tvil, tvile wątpliwość, zwątpić dúvida, duvidar сомневаться, сомнение tvivel, tvivla ความสงสัย, สงสัย kuşku, kuşku duymak nghi ngờ, sự nghi ngờ 怀疑, 疑惑Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
doubt
n. duda, incertidumbre.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
doubt
n duda; vt dudar; I doubt that’s going to help..Dudo que vaya a ayudar.English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.