Word
doubtful
Phoneticsdoubt·ful, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdaʊtfəɫ/
UK/dˈaʊtfəl/
Definitions
01unlikely to happen
B1 · Intermediate
adj. used to say that something is probably not true or will not happen.
adj. describing an event or outcome that is improbable or unlikely to occur.
Español:dudoso
“It is doubtful that the weather will improve enough for us to go for a walk.”
“Given the current economic climate, it remains highly doubtful that the company will meet its ambitious growth targets by the end of the quarter.”
Usage
often used with a 'that' clause or 'if/whether' clause.
Synonyms
02feeling uncertain
B1 · Intermediate
adj. feeling that you are not sure about something or do not trust it.
adj. experiencing or expressing a lack of conviction or certainty; skeptical.
“The teacher looked doubtful when the student said the dog ate his homework.”
“The board members were doubtful about the new marketing strategy, questioning whether the projected returns justified the initial investment.”
Usage
usually followed by the preposition 'about'.
03suspicious or unreliable
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. not clearly good, honest, or reliable.
adj. of questionable character, quality, or reliability.
“He has a doubtful reputation in the business world, so be careful.”
“The authenticity of the painting is doubtful, as several experts have pointed out inconsistencies in the brushwork compared to the artist's known style.”
Teaching tip
This sense is often used to describe reputations, claims, or the quality of an object.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English doutfull, douteful, equivalent to doubt + -ful.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/doubtful
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0