Definition of 'doubtful'

Word Frequency

doubtful

(daʊtfʊl )

1. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]

If it is doubtful that something will happen, it seems unlikely to happen or you are uncertain whether it will happen.

For a time it seemed doubtful that he would move at all.

It is doubtful whether Tweed, even with his fluent French, passed for one of the locals.

Whether the authorities will allow inspection is highly doubtful.

Synonyms: unlikely, unclear, dubious, unsettled More Synonyms of doubtful

2. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]

If you are doubtful about something, you feel unsure or uncertain about it.

I was still very doubtful about the chances for success. [+ about]

Why did he sound so doubtful?

Synonyms: unsure, uncertain, hesitant, suspicious More Synonyms of doubtful

doubtfully adverb [ADVERB after verb]

Keeton shook his head doubtfully.

3. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]

If you say that something is of doubtful quality or value, you mean that it is of low quality or value.

[disapproval]

...selling something that is overpriced or of doubtful quality.

They also seemed of very doubtful value.

...information that he described as having doubtful reliability.

Synonyms: questionable, suspect, suspicious, crooked [informal] More Synonyms of doubtful

4. adjective

If a sports player is doubtful for a match or event, he or she seems unlikely to play, usually because of injury.

[journalism]

Forsyth is doubtful for tonight's game with a badly bruised leg.

Video: pronunciation of 'doubtful'

Word Frequency

doubtful in British

(ˈdaʊtfʊl )

adjective

unlikely; improbable

characterized by or causing doubt; uncertain

a doubtful answer

unsettled; unresolved

of questionable reputation or morality

having reservations or misgivings

(of a sportsperson) not likely to be fit enough to play or take part

noun

a person who is undecided or uncertain about an issue

a sportsperson who is not likely to be fit enough to play or take part

▶ USAGE It was formerly considered correct to use whether after doubtful (it is doubtful whether he will come), but now if and that are also acceptable

Derived forms

doubtfully (ˈdoubtfully)

adverb

doubtfulness (ˈdoubtfulness)

noun

Word Frequency

doubtful in American

(ˈdaʊtfəl ; doutˈfəl)

adjective

in doubt; not clear or definite; ambiguous

not clearly predictable; uncertain; unsure

giving rise to doubt or suspicion; questionable, as in reputation

feeling doubt; unsettled in opinion or belief

SYNONYMY NOTE: doubtful implies strong uncertainty as to the probability, value, honesty, validity, etc. of something [a doubtful remedy]; dubious is less strong, suggesting merely vague suspicion or hesitancy [dubious about the future]; questionable strictly suggests only that there is some reason for doubt, but it is often used as a euphemism to imply strong suspicion, almost amounting to certainty, of immorality, dishonesty, etc. [a questionable reputation]; problematic implies only uncertainty with no suggestion of a moral question [a problematic success]

OPPOSITES: certain, sure

Derived forms

doubtfully (ˈdoubtfully)

adverb

doubtfulness (ˈdoubtfulness)

noun

Word origin of 'doubtful'

ME douteful

Example sentences containing 'doubtful'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

And two of those look increasingly doubtful runners as fears grow about the weather and going. The Sun (2012)Life shuttles by way too fast for these doubtful little games. The Times Literary Supplement (2012)Whether there is such a thing as a profit motive at all is highly doubtful. Peter F. Drucker THE ESSENTIAL DRUCKER (2001)Some claims for its benefits remain doubtful. Times, Sunday Times (2009)Yet it seems doubtful that any court would let such an action succeed. Times, Sunday Times (2007)It is highly doubtful that better bus services would change matters. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Some of his other viewpoints seem more doubtful. Times, Sunday Times (2009)For the first act the answer seemed doubtful. Times, Sunday Times (2008)The intelligence gained under duress would be of doubtful value and immensely costly to the integrity of democratic governments. Times, Sunday Times (2010)It seems very doubtful whether a revolution in popular habits should be attempted when the public mind is obsessed with a war. Times, Sunday Times (2016)It's also doubtful they have the discipline. Davidow, William H. & Uttal, Bro Total Customer Service (The Ultimate Weapon) (1990)We stayed in a hotel with a doubtful reputation, but it was magic to me. Times, Sunday Times (2014)He will be assessed by the England medical team but he looks doubtful. Times, Sunday Times (2010)It is highly doubtful as we look at the options and find it is largely a case of rounding up the usual suspects. Times, Sunday Times (2011)Whether this will be enough to cause the remotest stir in Germany this summer remains doubtful. Times, Sunday Times (2006)But whether it will still be on our screens in 2018 is highly doubtful. Times, Sunday Times (2009)Her father supports the attempt, but his former wife remains doubtful. Times, Sunday Times (2009)But whether they (or the rest of us) will get certainty before the next election looks doubtful. Times, Sunday Times (2013)He is also doubtful for the final group E game against Italy. Times, Sunday Times (2016)With petrol prices low, it is highly unlikely he will heed their call, but also doubtful he will increase the tax after four years of freezes. Times, Sunday Times (2015)