DOUBTFUL


Meaning of DOUBTFUL in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ daʊtfʊl ]

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

• doubt‧ful‧ly

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

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Английский словарь Коллинз COBUILD для изучающих язык на продвинутом уровне.