doubt

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.

“Doubt” is pronounced dowt (/daʊt/ in IPA).

Here is “doubt” used in a sentence: “I doubt he'll actually show up on time.”

Depending on how it is used, “doubt” can be a verb and a noun.

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.

“Doubt” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“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.

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.

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.

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.