doubt

 
Pronunciation: /daʊt/

noun

[mass noun]
  • a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction: some doubt has been cast upon the authenticity of this account [count noun]: they had doubts that they would ever win

verb

  • 1 [with object] feel uncertain about: I doubt my ability to do the job [with clause]: I doubt if anyone slept that night
  • question the truth or fact of (something): who can doubt the value and necessity of these services?
  • disbelieve or lack faith in (someone): I have no reason to doubt him
  • [no object] feel uncertain, especially about one’s religious beliefs.
  • 2 [with clause] archaic fear; be afraid: I doubt not any ones contradicting this Journal

Phrases

beyond doubt

allowing no uncertainty: you’ve proved it beyond doubt

in doubt

open to question: the outcome is no longer in doubt
feeling uncertain about something: by the age of 14 he was in no doubt about his career aims

no doubt

used to indicate the speaker’s firm belief that something is true: those who left were attracted, no doubt, by higher pay
used to introduce a concession which is subsequently dismissed as unimportant or irrelevant: they no doubt did what they could to help her, but their best proved insufficient

without (a) doubt

indisputably: he was without doubt the very worst kind of reporter

Derivatives

doubtable

adjective

doubting

adjective

doubtingly

adverb

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French doute (noun), douter (verb), from Latin dubitare 'hesitate', from dubius 'doubtful' (see dubious)