doubtful
gb/dˈaʊtfəl/ us/dˈaʊtfəl/
B1
English
~ 3200
bizonytalan, valószínűtlen, kétes
B1
1
bizonytalan
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is doubtful about [something]
She seemed doubtful about accepting the job offer.
Bizonytalannak tűnt az állásajánlat elfogadásával kapcsolatban.
I'm doubtful that the weather will improve.
Nem vagyok biztos benne, hogy javulni fog az idő.
He gave me a doubtful look when I explained my plan.
The teacher was doubtful about the student's excuse.
Learner examples
I am doubtful about the test tomorrow.
Bizonytalan vagyok a holnapi dolgozattal kapcsolatban.
She is doubtful that he will come.
Nem biztos benne, hogy eljön.
He feels doubtful about the new idea.
We are doubtful about the results.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'doubtful' with 'doubtless', which has the opposite meaning (certain).
Meaning
uncertain or unsure
Collocations
highly doubtful
|doubtful about
|seems doubtful
|remains doubtful
Synonyms
uncertain (More general and neutral; does not imply skepticism as strongly.)
|
unsure (More informal and personal; focuses on the speaker's lack of confidence.)
Antonyms
confident (Expresses strong belief or certainty, opposite of feeling doubtful.)
|
sure (Indicates complete certainty, without hesitation.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|decision-making
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not sure if something is true or will happen.
Feeling or showing a lack of certainty or confidence about something.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
it is doubtful that [clause]
It is doubtful that the team will win the championship this year.
Valószínűtlen, hogy a csapat idén megnyeri a bajnokságot.
Given the evidence, it seems doubtful that he committed the crime.
A bizonyítékok alapján valószínűtlennek tűnik, hogy ő követte el a bűncselekményt.
The forecast makes it doubtful we'll have a sunny weekend.
Learner examples
It is doubtful that she will come.
Valószínűtlen, hogy eljön.
It seems doubtful we can finish today.
Valószínűtlennek tűnik, hogy ma be tudjuk fejezni.
It is doubtful that they will agree.
Meaning
unlikely or improbable
Collocations
it is doubtful that
|seems doubtful
|highly doubtful
Synonyms
improbable (More formal; emphasizes statistical unlikelihood.)
|
unlikely (Neutral and common; focuses on low chance of occurrence.)
Antonyms
likely (Indicates a high chance of something happening.)
|
probable (Formal term meaning more likely than not.)
Themes
probability
|predictions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Probably not going to happen or be true.
Not likely to happen or be true.
B2
3
kétes
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] has a doubtful [reputation/origin]
He has a doubtful reputation in the business community.
Kétes hírneve van üzleti körökben.
The product's safety record is doubtful at best.
A termék biztonsági előélete legjobb esetben is kétes.
They were involved in some morally doubtful activities.
Learner examples
This food is of doubtful quality.
Ez az étel kétes minőségű.
He has a doubtful reputation.
Kétes hírneve van.
The plan seems morally doubtful.
Meaning
suspicious or questionable
Collocations
doubtful reputation
|doubtful origin
|morally doubtful
Synonyms
questionable (Neutral term for suspected dishonesty or poor quality.)
|
suspicious (Stronger implication of possible wrongdoing.)
Antonyms
trustworthy (Reliable and honest, opposite of suspicious.)
|
reliable (Can be depended on for accuracy or honesty.)
Themes
trust
|quality
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Looking like it may not be honest, safe, or good.
Seeming dishonest, untrustworthy, or of poor quality.
Grammar
Dictionary form
doubtful
IPA
GB/dˈaʊtfəl/
US/dˈaʊtfəl/
Syllables & stress
doubt - ful (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (doubt)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: doubtful
Word family
Expressions
give someone a doubtful look
1/ɡˈɪv sˈʌmwˌʌn ə dˈaʊtfəl lˈʊk/
fixed phrase
look showing uncertainty or disbelief
To look at someone in a way that shows you are not sure or do not believe them.
Examples
- She gave me a doubtful look when I told her the story.
- He gave his boss a doubtful look after hearing the plan.
it is doubtful that
1/ˈɪt ˈɪz dˈaʊtfəl ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
expressing low likelihood
Used to say you think something probably will not happen or be true.
Examples
- It is doubtful that we will finish on time.
- It is doubtful that she will accept the offer.