doubt
gb/dˈaʊt/ us/dˈaʊt/
B1
Inglés
~ 3000
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Sustantivo
B1
state
1
Feeling of being unsure
When you are not sure if something is true or right.
Patrón de uso:
to have [doubt(s)] about [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'doubt' (uncertainty) with 'problem' or 'question'; 'I have a doubt' in English usually means uncertainty, not 'I have a question'.
Sinónimos
uncertainty (A general lack of certainty, without the implication of suspicion.)
Antónimos
certainty (The state of being completely sure and confident.)
Colocaciones
serious doubt
|reasonable doubt
|cast doubt
|beyond doubt
|without doubt
Temas
emotions
|thinking
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- She had serious doubts about the success of the plan.
- There is no doubt that he is the best player on the team.
- The evidence left little room for doubt.
- His sudden change in behavior cast doubt on his honesty.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I have doubts about this idea.
- There is no doubt she is a good teacher.
- He spoke with doubt in his voice.
- We have some doubts about the story.
Verbo
B1
action
2
To be unsure about something
To think that something may not be true or may not happen.
Patrón de uso:
to doubt [that clause]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes overuse 'doubt if' instead of 'doubt that', especially in formal writing.
Sinónimos
question (To express uncertainty about truth, often in a more formal or critical sense.)
Antónimos
believe (To accept as true without uncertainty.)
Colocaciones
doubt very much
|seriously doubt
|doubt strongly
Temas
emotions
|thinking
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- I doubt that he will come to the party.
- Many people doubted her ability to finish the race.
- They doubted whether the plan would work.
- I don't doubt your sincerity.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I doubt he will call me.
- She doubts they can win.
- We doubt the story is true.
- I don't doubt your skills.
Sustantivo
formal
B2
state
3
Uncertainty in legal judgment
In law, when there is not enough proof to be sure someone is guilty.
Sinónimos
uncertainty (General lack of certainty, but here used in a strict legal standard.)
Antónimos
proof (Evidence that makes something certain beyond legal challenge.)
Colocaciones
reasonable doubt
|beyond reasonable doubt
Temas
law
|justice
Ejemplos
- The jury must acquit if there is reasonable doubt.
- The case was dismissed because of doubts about the evidence.
- Beyond reasonable doubt is required for conviction.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The judge said there was reasonable doubt.
- They could not prove it beyond doubt.
- The lawyer talked about reasonable doubt.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
doubt
AFI
GB/dˈaʊt/
US/dˈaʊt/
Sílabas y acento
doubt (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (doubt)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: doubt
- Plural: doubt, doubts
Verb
- Base: doubt
- 3rd Person Singular: doubts
- Present Participle: doubting
- Past: doubted
Familia de palabras
Forms
doubts
noun
doubting
verb
doubted
verb
Core family
doubtful
adjective B1
doubtfully
adverb
Related words
doubter
noun
Negative and opposite forms
Expresiones
beyond a reasonable doubt
1/bɪjˈɔnd ə ɹˈiznəbəl dˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
formal
With complete legal certainty
In law, when something is proven so well that there is no reasonable question about it.
Ejemplos
- The prosecution must prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
- He was convicted because the evidence showed his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
benefit of the doubt
1/bˈɛnəfɪt əv ðə dˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
Believe good until proven wrong
To believe someone is telling the truth until there is proof they are not.
Ejemplos
- I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt this time.
- I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she forgot to call.
- She got the benefit of the doubt because there was no clear evidence.
- He got the benefit of the doubt from his boss this time.
cast doubt on
1/kˈæst dˈaʊt ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
Make something seem uncertain
To make people less sure about something.
Ejemplos
- The report casts doubt on the company's claims.
- His behavior casts doubt on his honesty.
cast doubt on
2/kˈæst dˈaʊt ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
Cause people to be unsure about something
To make people think something may not be true or good.
Ejemplos
- The report cast doubt on the safety of the product.
- Her strange behavior cast doubt on her honesty.
no doubt
1/nˈoʊ dˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
Without uncertainty; certainly
Used to say you are sure about something.
Ejemplos
- No doubt she will pass the exam easily.
- There’s no doubt that this is the best choice.
no doubt
2/nˈoʊ dˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
Complete certainty; without question
Used to show you are sure about something.
Ejemplos
- He will win the race, no doubt about it.
- No doubt she will be late again.
without a doubt
1/wɪðˈaʊt ə dˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
certainly; definitely
Used to say you are sure about something.
Ejemplos
- Without a doubt, she is the best player on the team.
- Without a doubt, she is the most talented singer here.
- He will win, without a doubt.
- He is without a doubt the right person for the job.
without a doubt
2/wɪðˈaʊt ə dˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
With full certainty
Used to say you are completely sure about something.
Ejemplos
- Without a doubt, this is the best meal I've ever had.
- He is without a doubt the most talented player here.