doubtful
3 synonyms and 4 antonyms for doubtful, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Not certain to happen or be true; uncertain.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
dubitable
Antonyms
How to use doubtful
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
doubtful about
it is doubtful that
doubtful outcome
Etymology
From Middle English doutfull — built from doubt plus -ful, "full of."
Full origin of doubtful →Frequently asked questions
What does “doubtful” mean?
The word “doubtful” means not certain to happen or be true; uncertain. In plain terms, not sure — used for people who aren't sure, or situations that aren't likely to happen.
How do you pronounce “doubtful”?
“Doubtful” is pronounced DOWT-fuhl (/ˈdaʊtfəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “doubtful” in a sentence?
Here is “doubtful” used in a sentence: “It's doubtful she'll finish the report by tonight.”
What part of speech is “doubtful”?
“Doubtful” is an adjective.
Where does the word “doubtful” come from?
The word “doubtful” comes from Middle English. From Middle English doutfull — built from doubt plus -ful, "full of.".
Is “doubtful” a common word?
“Doubtful” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “doubtful” have?
“Doubtful” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not certain to happen or be true; uncertain.
