What (who) is doubtful - definition
STATUS BETWEEN BELIEF AND DISBELIEF, INVOLVES UNCERTAINTY OR DISTRUST IN AN ALLEGED FACT, ACTION, MOTIVE, OR DECISION
Dubious; Doubting; Doubtable; Doubtful; Philosophical doubt; Nonbelief; Self-doubt; Doubts
![The Incredulity of Saint Thomas]]'' by [[Caravaggio]].µ](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Caravaggio - The Incredulity of Saint Thomas.jpg?width=200 "The Incredulity of Saint Thomas]]'' by [[Caravaggio]].µ")
![''Doubts'', by [[Henrietta Rae]], 1886](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Rae, Henrietta - Doubts - 1886.jpg?width=200 "''Doubts'', by [[Henrietta Rae]], 1886")
Doubtful
·adj Of uncertain issue or event.
II. Doubtful ·adj Fearful; apprehensive; suspicious.
III. Doubtful ·adj Characterized by ambiguity; dubious; as, a doubtful expression; a doubtful phrase.
IV. Doubtful ·adj Admitting of doubt; not obvious, clear, or certain; questionable; not decided; not easy to be defined, classed, or named; as, a doubtful case, hue, claim, title, species, and the like.
V. Doubtful ·adj Not settled in opinion; undetermined; wavering; hesitating in belief; also used, metaphorically, of the body when its action is affected by such a state of mind; as, we are doubtful of a fact, or of the propriety of a measure.
doubtful
1.
If it is doubtful that something will happen, it seems unlikely to happen or you are uncertain whether it will happen.
For a time it seemed doubtful that he would move at all...
It is doubtful whether Tweed, even with his fluent French, passed for one of the locals...
ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft it v-link ADJ that/wh
2.
If you are doubtful about something, you feel unsure or uncertain about it.
I was still very doubtful about the chances for success...
Why did he sound so doubtful?
= dubious
ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ about n
• doubtfully
Keeton shook his head doubtfully.
= dubiously
ADV: ADV after v
3.
If you say that something is of doubtful quality or value, you mean that it is of low quality or value.
...selling something that is overpriced or of doubtful quality...
= dubious
ADJ: usu ADJ n [disapproval]
4.
If a sports player is doubtful for a match or event, he or she seems unlikely to play, usually because of injury. (JOURNALISM)
ADJ: oft ADJ for n
doubtful
adj.
1) doubtful of
2) doubtful that + inf. (it's doubtful that she will be present)
USAGE NOTE: see the Usage Note for doubtI. Thus, to express 'uncertainty', one can say-it is doubtful whether they will finish on time. To express 'disbelief, one can say-it is doubtful that they will finish on time.
Wikipedia
Doubt
Doubt is a mental state in which the mind remains suspended between two or more contradictory propositions, unable to be certain of any of them. Doubt on an emotional level is indecision between belief and disbelief. It may involve uncertainty, distrust or lack of conviction on certain facts, actions, motives, or decisions. Doubt can result in delaying or rejecting relevant action out of concern for mistakes or missed opportunities.
Pronunciation examples for doubtful
1. Doubtful.
The Zero Marginal Cost Society _ Jeremy Rifkin _ Talks at Google
2. Doubtful.
The Q-Loop _ Brian Klapper _ Talks at Google
3. Highly doubtful.
Emotional Intelligence Superpowers _ Marc Brackett _ Talks at Google
4. That's doubtful.
God and the Gay Christian _ Matthew Vines _ Talks at Google
5. >>Junot Diaz: Highly doubtful.
This is How You Lose Her _ Junot Diaz _ Talks at Google
Examples of use of doubtful
1. It is doubtful calm will be attained; it is even more doubtful that it will hold.
2. The banks‘ provisions for doubtful debts from businesses are 2.5 times higher their provisions for doubtful household debts.
3. But I‘m doubtful about Scaramanga‘s Etonian lineage.
4. Doubtful: Simon Jones remains doubtful for the tour of Pakistan England paceman Simon Jones is rated just 50–50 to be fit for the tour of Pakistan.
5. But its doubtful that either the Illinois senator or Ms.