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# doubtful

adjective (doubtful, more doubtful, most doubtful)

«doubtful» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. If you are doubtful about something, you are not sure it is true or that it will happen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/doubtful/#m1)
2. If something is doubtful, it probably will not happen or probably is not true. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/doubtful/#m2)
3. Doubtful can describe something that seems not quite honest or good, like a doubtful excuse. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/doubtful/#m3)

### In the lessons

In stories it shows a character who is unsure or suspicious, often with a frown or a raised eyebrow; in science it describes a result or claim you should check again. Phrases: «doubtful about», «it is doubtful that/whether», «a doubtful look».

### Examples

- Sam looked doubtful when I said the ice was safe. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/doubtful/#x1)
- It is doubtful that the match will go ahead in this rain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/doubtful/#x2)
- I'm doubtful about this map; it looks very old. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/doubtful/#x3)
- The teacher gave a doubtful smile at my excuse. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/doubtful/#x4)
- The result was doubtful, so we did the experiment again. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/doubtful/#x5)
- Whether the ferry will run tomorrow is doubtful. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/doubtful/#x6)
- Grandpa was doubtful the little tree would survive the winter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/doubtful/#x7)
- But he was doubtful whether the crocodile would consent to do what wanted. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/doubtful/#x8)

### Note

Spelled with a silent «b», like «doubt». Adverb: «doubtfully». Opposite: «certain», «sure». Being doubtful about a strange claim online is a good habit; check it with a trusted source.

## In Jewish tradition

In stories it shows a character who is unsure or suspicious, often with a frown or a raised eyebrow; in science it describes a result or claim you should check again. Phrases: «doubtful about», «it is doubtful that/whether», «a doubtful look».

### Examples

- The meaning of Belimah is more doubtful. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/doubtful/#x1)
- But it is very doubtful what Mohammed ben Musa meant by Indians. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/doubtful/#x2)

### Note

Spelled with a silent «b», like «doubt». Adverb: «doubtfully». Opposite: «certain», «sure». Being doubtful about a strange claim online is a good habit; check it with a trusted source.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «doubtful» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/doubtful/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«doubtful» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/doubtful.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «doubtful» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/doubtful/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«doubtful» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/doubtful.html) on Mova free.