dubious
Dubious (adj) means causing doubt or suspicion; of questionable quality or honesty. Example: “He made a dubious claim about curing illness with crystals.”
How to use dubious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot fully trustworthy or certain — either something suspicious, or a feeling of doubt.
Word forms
more dubious comparative, most dubious superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He made a _____ claim about curing illness with crystals.
Etymology
From Latin dubius, related to duo ("two") — the idea of being torn between two possibilities.
Rhymes for dubious
See all rhymes for dubious →Frequently asked questions
What does “dubious” mean?
The word “dubious” means causing doubt or suspicion; of questionable quality or honesty. In plain terms, not fully trustworthy or certain — either something suspicious, or a feeling of doubt.
How do you pronounce “dubious”?
“Dubious” is pronounced JOO-bee-uhs (/ˈdu.bi.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “dubious” in a sentence?
Here is “dubious” used in a sentence: “He made a dubious claim about curing illness with crystals.”
What part of speech is “dubious”?
“Dubious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “dubious” come from?
The word “dubious” comes from Latin. From Latin dubius, related to duo ("two") — the idea of being torn between two possibilities.
Is “dubious” a common word?
“Dubious” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dubious” have?
“Dubious” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: causing doubt or suspicion; of questionable quality or honesty.