DOUBTFUL


Meaning of DOUBTFUL in English

1.

If it is ~ that something will happen, it seems unlikely to happen or you are uncertain whether it will happen.

For a time it seemed ~ that he would move at all...

It is ~ 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 ~ about something, you feel unsure or uncertain about it.

I was still very ~ about the chances for success...

Why did he sound so ~?

= dubious

ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ about n

~ly

Keeton shook his head ~ly.

= dubiously

ADV: ADV after v

3.

If you say that something is of ~ quality or value, you mean that it is of low quality or value.

...selling something that is overpriced or of ~ quality...

= dubious

ADJ: usu ADJ n disapproval

4.

If a sports player is ~ for a match or event, he or she seems unlikely to play, usually because of injury. (JOURNALISM)

ADJ: oft ADJ for n

Collins COBUILD.      Толковый словарь английского языка для изучающих язык Коллинз COBUILD (международная база данных языков Бирмингемского университета) .