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verb (used with object)
1.
to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe.
2.
to distrust.
3.
Archaic. to fear; be apprehensive about.
verb (used without object)
4.
to be uncertain about something; be undecided in opinion or belief.
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Doubting
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
noun
Idioms5.
a feeling of uncertainty about the truth, reality, or nature of something.
7.
a state of affairs such as to occasion uncertainty.
8.
Obsolete. fear; dread.
9.
10.
in doubt, in a state of uncertainty or suspense: His appointment to the position is still in doubt.
11.
no doubt,
a.
probably.
b.
certainly: There is no doubt an element of truth in what you say.
12.
without doubt, unquestionably; certainly.
Origin:
1175–1225; (v.) Middle English douten < Anglo-French, Old French douter < Latin dubitāre to waver, hesitate, be uncertain (frequentative of OL dubāre), equivalent to dub- doubt + -it- frequentative suffix + -āre infinitive suffix; (noun) Middle English doute < Anglo-French, Old French, derivative of the v.
1175–1225; (v.) Middle English douten < Anglo-French, Old French douter < Latin dubitāre to waver, hesitate, be uncertain (frequentative of OL dubāre), equivalent to dub- doubt + -it- frequentative suffix + -āre infinitive suffix; (noun) Middle English doute < Anglo-French, Old French, derivative of the v.
Related forms
doubt·a·ble, adjective
doubt·a·bly, adverb
doubt·er, noun
doubt·ing·ly, adverb
doubt·ing·ness, noun
EXPANDnon·doubt·a·ble, adjective
non·doubt·er, noun
non·doubt·ing, adjective
non·doubt·ing·ly, adverb
o·ver·doubt, verb (used with object)
pre·doubt, noun, verb
pre·doubt·er, noun
un·doubt·a·ble, adjective
un·doubt·ing, adjective
COLLAPSESynonyms
1, 2. mistrust, suspect, question. 5. indecision, irresolution.
1, 2. mistrust, suspect, question. 5. indecision, irresolution.
Usage note
Doubt and doubtful may be followed by a subordinate clause beginning with that, whether, or if: I doubt that (or whether or if) the story is true. It is doubtful that (or whether or if) the story is true. There is some doubt that (or whether or if) the story is true. EXPANDIn negative or interrogative sentences, that almost always introduces the subordinate clause: I do not doubt that the story is true. Is it doubtful that the story is true? Is there any doubt that the story is true?
The expressions doubt but and doubt but that occur in all varieties of standard speech and writing: I don't doubt but she is sincere. There is no doubt but that the charges will affect his career. Doubt but what occurs mainly in informal speech and writing: There is no doubt but what the rainy weather will hurt the crops.
COLLAPSE
Doubt and doubtful may be followed by a subordinate clause beginning with that, whether, or if: I doubt that (or whether or if) the story is true. It is doubtful that (or whether or if) the story is true. There is some doubt that (or whether or if) the story is true. EXPANDIn negative or interrogative sentences, that almost always introduces the subordinate clause: I do not doubt that the story is true. Is it doubtful that the story is true? Is there any doubt that the story is true?
The expressions doubt but and doubt but that occur in all varieties of standard speech and writing: I don't doubt but she is sincere. There is no doubt but that the charges will affect his career. Doubt but what occurs mainly in informal speech and writing: There is no doubt but what the rainy weather will hurt the crops.
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To doubting
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
doubt
early 13c., from O.Fr. douter, from L. dubitare "hesitate, waver in opinion" (related to dubius "uncertain"), originally "to have to choose between two things." The sense of "fear" developed in O.Fr. and was passed on to English. The -b- was restored 14c. by scribes in imitation of L. Replaced O.E. tweogan
EXPAND(noun twynung), from tweon "two," on notion of "of two minds" or the choice of two implied in Latin dubitare (cf. Ger. Zweifel "doubt," from zwei "two").
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
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