dubious

[ doo-bee-uhs, dyoo- ]
See synonyms for dubious on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. doubtful; marked by or occasioning doubt: a dubious reply.

  2. of doubtful quality or propriety; questionable: a dubious compliment; a dubious transaction.

  1. of uncertain outcome: in dubious battle.

  2. wavering or hesitating in opinion; inclined to doubt.

Origin of dubious

1
First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin dubius; cf. doubt

synonym study For dubious

4. See doubtful.

Other words for dubious

Other words from dubious

  • du·bi·ous·ly, adverb
  • du·bi·ous·ness, noun
  • su·per·du·bi·ous, adjective
  • su·per·du·bi·ous·ly, adverb
  • su·per·du·bi·ous·ness, noun
  • un·du·bi·ous, adjective
  • un·du·bi·ous·ly, adverb
  • un·du·bi·ous·ness, noun

Words Nearby dubious

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use dubious in a sentence

  • Her manner amazed him; it was so unlike the aspect of fair interpretation, with which she usually discussed a dubious subject.

  • Each of them was chuck full of that dubious sort of pride that has busted up more than one love-fiesta.

    Raw Gold | Bertrand W. Sinclair
  • He looked upon her bright face, a dubious expression flittering over his own.

    The World Before Them | Susanna Moodie
  • They were a little dubious about the night and its outcome, but all agreed it would be highly exciting.

  • Eddie said nothing, but looked very dubious, for the widow was not liked by the boys.

British Dictionary definitions for dubious

dubious

/ (ˈdjuːbɪəs) /


adjective
  1. marked by or causing doubt: a dubious reply

  2. unsettled in mind; uncertain; doubtful

  1. of doubtful quality; untrustworthy: a dubious reputation

  2. not certain in outcome

Origin of dubious

1
C16: from Latin dubius wavering

Derived forms of dubious

  • dubiously, adverb
  • dubiousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012