/ ˈdjuːbiəs; NAmE ˈduː-/ adjective
1.
[ not usually before noun ] dubious (about sth) / (about doing sth) ( of a person ) not certain and slightly suspicious about sth; not knowing whether sth is good or bad
SYN doubtful :
I was rather dubious about the whole idea.
2.
( disapproving ) probably not honest
SYN suspicious :
They indulged in some highly dubious business practices to obtain their current position in the market.
3.
that you cannot be sure about; that is probably not good :
They consider the plan to be of dubious benefit to most families.
( ironic )
She had the dubious honour of being the last woman to be hanged in England (= it was not an honour at all) .
► du·bi·ous·ly adverb
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (in sense 2 and 3): from Latin dubiosus , from dubium a doubt, neuter of dubius doubtful.