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verb

doubt

dowt
verb
1
To feel uncertain about something, or to believe it is unlikely to be true.
"I doubt he'll actually show up on time."
"She began to doubt her own memory of the event."
noun
1
A feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction about something.
"There's no doubt in my mind that she's the right person for the job."
"His constant doubts made it hard for him to commit to any decision."

How to Use Doubt

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNot being sure, or not quite believing something is true.

Common mistake

The "b" in doubt is silent — it's pronounced "dout."

Easily confused with
Common pairings
no doubt doubt it benefit of the doubt without a doubt

Word Forms

doubted past tense, doubts plural, doubts singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

I _____ he'll actually show up on time.

Etymology

From Old French douter, ultimately from Latin dubitare, "to be uncertain, to waver." The silent "b" was added later by scholars trying to match the Latin spelling.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial