doubt
dowt
Doubt (verb) means to feel uncertain about something, or to believe it is unlikely to be true. Example: “Many people doubted that the old bridge could survive another winter.”
verb
1
To feel uncertain about something, or to believe it is unlikely to be true.
"Many people doubted that the old bridge could survive another winter."
"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.
"Despite a few early doubts, the team soon felt confident about the new plan."
"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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- doubts
- Third person singular
- doubts
- Past tense
- doubted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Many people _____ that the old bridge could survive another winter.
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.
Synonyms
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question
disbelieve
mistrust
be unsure
be uncertain
be skeptical of
query
hesitate over
uncertainty
dubiety
incertitude
dubiousness
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “doubt” mean?
The word “doubt” means to feel uncertain about something, or to believe it is unlikely to be true. In plain terms, not being sure, or not quite believing something is true.
How do you pronounce “doubt”?
“Doubt” is pronounced dowt (/daʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “doubt” in a sentence?
Here is “doubt” used in a sentence: “I doubt he'll actually show up on time.”
What part of speech is “doubt”?
Depending on how it is used, “doubt” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “doubt” come from?
The word “doubt” comes from Latin. 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.
Is “doubt” a common word?
“Doubt” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “doubt” have?
“Doubt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to feel uncertain about something, or to believe it is unlikely to be true.
What is the difference between doubt and distrust?
To doubt is to feel uncertain about whether something is true or likely — you doubt a claim, a fact, or an outcome. To distrust is to lack confidence in a person's honesty or reliability — you distrust someone's motives. Doubt centers on truth; distrust centers on trustworthiness. You might doubt a story yet not distrust the storyteller.
What is the opposite of doubt?
As a verb, the opposite of doubt is to believe, trust, or be certain. Where doubting means questioning whether something is true, believing means accepting it. Related opposites include "be confident," "be sure," and "accept." The noun doubt contrasts with certainty, conviction, and faith.
Is doubt a negative word?
Doubt is neutral, though it leans cautious. It can be healthy — questioning claims before accepting them is the basis of critical thinking and good science. It becomes negative when it tips into self-doubt or paralysis. In itself, to doubt simply means to hold something as uncertain rather than settled.
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