doubtful
gb/dˈaʊtfəl/ us/dˈaʊtfəl/
B1
Inglês
~ 3200
Aceções
0 aceções
adjective
B1
property
1
uncertain or unsure
Not sure if something is true or will happen.
Padrão de uso:
[someone] is doubtful about [something]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes confuse 'doubtful' with 'doubtless', which has the opposite meaning (certain).
Sinónimos
uncertain (More general and neutral; does not imply skepticism as strongly.)
|
unsure (More informal and personal; focuses on the speaker's lack of confidence.)
Antónimos
confident (Expresses strong belief or certainty, opposite of feeling doubtful.)
|
sure (Indicates complete certainty, without hesitation.)
Colocações
highly doubtful
|doubtful about
|seems doubtful
|remains doubtful
Temas
emotions
|communication
|decision-making
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- She seemed doubtful about accepting the job offer.
- I'm doubtful that the weather will improve.
- He gave me a doubtful look when I explained my plan.
- The teacher was doubtful about the student's excuse.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- I am doubtful about the test tomorrow.
- She is doubtful that he will come.
- He feels doubtful about the new idea.
- We are doubtful about the results.
adjective
B1
property
2
unlikely or improbable
Probably not going to happen or be true.
Padrão de uso:
it is doubtful that [clause]
Sinónimos
improbable (More formal; emphasizes statistical unlikelihood.)
|
unlikely (Neutral and common; focuses on low chance of occurrence.)
Antónimos
likely (Indicates a high chance of something happening.)
|
probable (Formal term meaning more likely than not.)
Colocações
it is doubtful that
|seems doubtful
|highly doubtful
Temas
probability
|predictions
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- It is doubtful that the team will win the championship this year.
- Given the evidence, it seems doubtful that he committed the crime.
- The forecast makes it doubtful we'll have a sunny weekend.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- It is doubtful that she will come.
- It seems doubtful we can finish today.
- It is doubtful that they will agree.
adjective
B2
property
3
suspicious or questionable
Looking like it may not be honest, safe, or good.
Padrão de uso:
[someone/something] has a doubtful [reputation/origin]
Sinónimos
questionable (Neutral term for suspected dishonesty or poor quality.)
|
suspicious (Stronger implication of possible wrongdoing.)
Antónimos
trustworthy (Reliable and honest, opposite of suspicious.)
|
reliable (Can be depended on for accuracy or honesty.)
Colocações
doubtful reputation
|doubtful origin
|morally doubtful
Temas
trust
|quality
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- He has a doubtful reputation in the business community.
- The product's safety record is doubtful at best.
- They were involved in some morally doubtful activities.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- This food is of doubtful quality.
- He has a doubtful reputation.
- The plan seems morally doubtful.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
doubtful
IPA
GB/dˈaʊtfəl/
US/dˈaʊtfəl/
Sílabas e acento
doubt - ful (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (doubt)
Formas da palavra
Adjective
- Base: doubtful
Família de palavras
Expressões
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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- It is doubtful that we will finish on time.
- It is doubtful that she will accept the offer.