dubious
gb/dˈubiəs/ us/dˈubiəs/
B2
Anglais
~ 9200
szkeptikus, bizalmatlan, kétes, megkérdőjelezhető, gyanús
B2
1
szkeptikus
B2
bizalmatlan
B1
Schéma d’usage :
be dubious about [something]
I’m a bit dubious about the accuracy of these numbers.
Kissé szkeptikus vagyok ezeknek a számoknak a pontosságát illetően.
The board was initially dubious about investing so much money in an untested idea.
Az igazgatótanács eleinte szkeptikus volt azzal kapcsolatban, hogy ennyi pénzt fektessenek egy még ki nem próbált ötletbe.
She gave me a dubious look when I said the train would definitely be on time.
Many voters are still dubious about the candidate’s promises.
He sounded dubious on the phone, as if he didn’t fully believe our explanation.
Exemples pédagogiques
I am dubious about this plan.
Szkeptikus vagyok ezzel a tervvel kapcsolatban.
My parents are dubious about my new job.
A szüleim szkeptikusak az új munkámmal kapcsolatban.
She looks dubious when he talks about his past.
The teacher is dubious about the students’ excuse.
He is still dubious about moving to another country.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes think 'dubious' means simply 'bad' or 'terrible'. It actually describes a feeling of doubt or suspicion, not the basic quality. Also, learners may say 'dubious of' instead of the more natural 'dubious about'.
Sens
feeling doubtful or unconvinced
Collocations
be dubious about
|seem dubious about
|remain dubious about
|sound dubious
|look dubious
|deeply dubious about
Synonymes
skeptical (Stronger and more analytical; often used when someone doubts because they need more proof.)
|
doubtful (Very close in meaning, but slightly more general and common in everyday speech.)
Antonymes
convinced (Shows that someone is sure and fully believes something, the opposite of being doubtful.)
|
confident (Expresses a strong feeling that something is true or will succeed.)
Thèmes
thinking
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Définition
Not sure if something is good, true, or will work; feeling unsure or suspicious about it.
Feeling or expressing uncertainty, suspicion, or a lack of trust about something.
C1
2
kétes
B2
Schéma d’usage :
a dubious [claim/result/benefit/achievement]
The company made dubious claims about the health benefits of its product.
A cég megkérdőjelezhető állításokat tett a terméke egészségügyi előnyeiről.
Critics have pointed out the dubious quality of the research behind these conclusions.
A kritikusok rámutattak az e következtetések alapjául szolgáló kutatás megkérdőjelezhető minőségére.
He has a rather dubious record of keeping his promises.
The supposed savings from the merger look dubious once you examine the details.
Their survey methods are dubious, so the results may not be trustworthy.
Exemples pédagogiques
These numbers come from a dubious source.
Ezek a számok kétes forrásból származnak.
The study is based on dubious data.
A tanulmány kétes adatokon alapul.
Many people think this is a dubious claim.
The benefits of the new law are still dubious.
We got a dubious result from the first test.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with simply 'unclear'. 'Dubious' suggests that something is not just unclear but also probably not true, not as good as claimed, or not well supported by facts.
Sens
of doubtful truth or quality
Collocations
dubious claim
|dubious result
|dubious statistics
|dubious benefits
|dubious evidence
|dubious distinction
Synonymes
questionable (Very close in meaning; commonly used when something may not be correct, fair, or of good quality.)
|
shaky (Informal; suggests weak support or evidence, so something is not very reliable.)
Antonymes
credible (Stresses that something is believable and has strong support or evidence.)
|
reliable (Emphasizes that something can be trusted to be correct or consistent.)
Thèmes
evaluation
|science
|business
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Définition
Probably not true, good, or reliable, even if someone says it is.
Having a truth, quality, or effectiveness that is open to doubt and probably not as good, reliable, or correct as claimed.
C1
3
Schéma d’usage :
dubious [business/practice/deal/source]
The charity was shut down after investigators uncovered several dubious financial arrangements.
A jótékonysági szervezetet bezárták, miután a nyomozók több kétes pénzügyi megállapodást tártak fel.
He made his fortune through rather dubious business practices.
Meglehetősen kétes üzleti módszerekkel szerezte a vagyonát.
They decided not to work with such a dubious group of investors.
The company has a dubious reputation when it comes to labor rights.
Officials are looking into the politician’s dubious connections to foreign donors.
Exemples pédagogiques
He is known for dubious business deals.
Kétes üzleti ügyleteiről ismert.
The money came from a dubious source.
A pénz kétes forrásból származott.
She has a dubious reputation in this town.
They refused to join such a dubious project.
The police are watching his dubious friends.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes use 'dubious' here when they only mean 'unusual' or 'strange'. This sense usually suggests a moral or legal problem, not just something odd or different.
Sens
morally or legally suspect
Collocations
dubious business practices
|dubious reputation
|dubious dealings
|dubious characters
|dubious sources of income
|dubious background
Synonymes
shady (Informal; strongly suggests secret, dishonest, or illegal behavior.)
|
suspect (Suggests something is not to be trusted and may be wrong or illegal.)
Antonymes
respectable (Stresses that someone or something is socially accepted as honest and moral.)
|
aboveboard (Emphasizes that actions are open, honest, and clearly legal.)
Thèmes
ethics
|law
|business
|core_vocabulary
Définition
Probably not honest, not moral, or maybe illegal.
Having a reputation, character, or nature that is morally questionable, dishonest, or possibly illegal.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
dubious
API
GB/dˈubiəs/
US/dˈubiəs/
Syllabes et accentuation
du - bi - ous (3 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (du)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: dubious
Famille de mots
Related words
doubtfully
adverb
doubtfulness
noun
dubiousness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
undoubted
adjective
undoubtedly
adverb B2
Advanced or less common
doubtless
adjective B2
doubter
noun
Expressions
be dubious about
1/bˈi dˈubiəs əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
feel doubtful about something
To not fully believe or trust something; to feel unsure or suspicious about it.
Exemples
- I’m dubious about the plan to cut prices so sharply.
- Many experts are dubious about the long-term benefits of the policy.
have the dubious honor of
1/hˈæv ðə dˈubiəs ˈɑnɚ əv/
idiom
receive an unwanted 'honor'
To be chosen for something that sounds like an honor, but is actually unpleasant, embarrassing, or not really good.
Exemples
- She had the dubious honor of announcing the company’s job cuts.
- Our team had the dubious honor of finishing last three years in a row.
of dubious distinction
1/əv dˈubiəs dɪstˈɪŋkʃən/
idiom
formal
notable in an unwanted way
Used when something is called a 'distinction' or 'honor' but is actually bad or embarrassing, not something to be proud of.
Exemples
- Our city now has the dubious distinction of having the worst traffic in the country.
- He enjoys the dubious distinction of being the first player ever sent off in a final.