doubt
/daʊt/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A feeling of not being sure if something is true, right, or possible. It can also mean a question or worry about someone or something.
- She had a doubt about the answer.
- There is no doubt about his skills.
- I had doubts about the plan.
verb
To feel unsure about something, or to think that something may not be true.
- I doubt his story.
- We doubt that he will come.
- She doubted her own decision.
Adinary Nuance
Doubt is stronger than simple uncertainty. Use uncertainty for a general lack of information, and doubt when you question if something is true or right. It is also different from suspect: you doubt when you do not believe; you suspect when you think something may be true.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- nghi ngờ
- Spanish
- duda
- Chinese
- 怀疑
- Japanese
- 疑い
- Korean
- 의심
Etymology
From Old French doute, from Latin dubitare, meaning 'to hesitate' or 'be uncertain'. It entered English in the Middle Ages.
Common phrases
no doubtin doubtdoubt aboutbeyond doubt
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between doubt and uncertainty?
- Uncertainty means you are not sure. Doubt often means you do not believe something is true.
- Is doubt a noun or a verb?
- It can be both. As a noun, it means lack of certainty. As a verb, it means to question.
- How do I use doubt in a sentence?
- You can say, 'I doubt it,' or 'I have doubts about the plan.'
- Is no doubt formal?
- It is common in both speech and writing. It means 'certainly' or 'without question'.