doubt
noun /daʊt/
/daʊt/
[uncountable, countable]Idioms - a feeling of being uncertain about something or not believing something
- a feeling of doubt and uncertainty
- New evidence has cast doubt on the guilt of the man jailed for the crime.
- He was starting to have some serious doubts.
- to have lingering/grave/nagging doubts
- doubt about something The article raised doubts about how effective the new drug really was.
- There is some doubt about the best way to do it.
- doubt (that)… There is no doubt at all that we did the right thing.
- There's little doubt in my mind that he's going to go right to the top.
- doubt as to something She leaves no doubt as to her own view of Picasso's work.
- doubt as to who, what, etc… If you are in any doubt as to whether you should be doing these exercises, consult your doctor.
- doubt over something Medical experts have expressed doubt over how the scientist died.
- She knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was lying to her.
Language Bank impersonalimpersonalGiving opinions using impersonal language- It is vital that more is done to prevent the illegal trade in wild animals.
- (Compare: We have to do more to stop people trading wild animals illegally.)
- It is clear that more needs to be done to protect biodiversity.
- (Compare: We clearly need to do more to protect biodiversity.)
- It is unfortunate that the practice of keeping monkeys as pets still continues.
- (Compare: It’s absolutely terrible that people still keep monkeys as pets.)
- It is difficult for many people to understand the reasons why certain individuals choose to hunt animals for sport.
- (Compare: I can’t understand why anyone would want to kill animals for fun.)
- Unfortunately, it would seem that not enough is being done to support tiger conservation.
- (Compare: Governments aren’t doing enough to help tiger conservation.)
- There is no doubt that the greatest threat to polar bears comes from global warming.
- (Compare: I believe that the greatest threat…)
More Like This Silent lettersSilent letters- gnarled
- gnash
- gnat
- gnaw
- gnome
- haute cuisine
- heir
- herb
- honour
- hors d’oeuvre
- hour
- knack
- knee
- kneel
- knife
- knight
- knit
- knob
- knock
- knot
- know
- knuckle
- psalm
- psephology
- psychic
- ptarmigan
- pterodactyl
- psychology
- wrangle
- wrap
- wreath
- wreck
- wrench
- wrestle
- wriggle
- wring
- write
- wrong
- bomb
- climb
- crumb
- doubt
- lamb
- limb
- ascent
- fascinate
- muscle
- scene
- scissors
- height
- right
- sleigh
- weight
- align
- campaign
- design
- foreign
- malign
- reign
- unfeigned
- balmy
- calm
- calf
- half
- yolk
- autumn
- column
- condemn
- damn
- hymn
- solemn
- bristle
- fasten
- listen
- mortgage
- soften
- thistle
- wrestle
- biscuit
- build
- circuit
- disguise
- guilty
- league
- rogue
- vague
- yacht
- answer
- sword
- two
Extra ExamplesTopics Doubt, guessing and certaintyb1- Whether he will continue to be successful in future is open to doubt.
- Doubts have arisen over the viability of the schedule.
- From the start, doubts surrounded her claim to be the missing heiress.
- He made clear his own private doubts about it.
- She still felt the same niggling doubt: was he really telling the truth?
- I had been aware of a nagging doubt growing in my mind.
- Some committee members still had doubts about the plans.
- The announcement dispelled any doubts as to the prince's intentions.
- There is little doubt the documents are fake.
- There is no doubt in my mind that this man is Tom.
- Some managers have expressed doubts about the wisdom of such a move.
- We live in an age of doubt and uncertainty.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- grave
- real
- …
- raise
- entertain
- feel
- …
- appear
- arise
- exist
- …
- beyond doubt
- beyond a doubt
- beyond all doubt
- …
- beyond a shadow of (a) doubt
- without a shadow of (a) doubt
- have your doubts about something
- …
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French doute (noun), douter (verb), from Latin dubitare ‘hesitate’, from dubius ‘doubtful’.
Idioms
be in doubt
- to be uncertain
- The success of the system is not in doubt.
- The arrangements for the event still seemed to be in doubt.
beyond (any) doubt
- in a way that shows that something is completely certain
- The research showed beyond doubt that smoking contributes to heart disease.
- (law) The prosecution was able to establish beyond reasonable doubt that the woman had been lying.
- The evidence proves beyond doubt that he is innocent.
give somebody the benefit of the doubt
- to accept that somebody has told the truth or behaved well because you cannot prove that they have not
- She may have been lying, but I felt I had to give her the benefit of the doubt.
have your doubts (about something)
- to have reasons why you are not certain about whether something is good or whether something good will happen
- I've had my doubts about his work since he joined the firm.
- It may be all right. Personally, I have my doubts.
- They say they'll be here on time, but I have my doubts about that.
if in doubt
- used to give advice to somebody who cannot decide what to do
- If in doubt, wear black.
- If in doubt, consult your doctor.
no doubt
- used when you are saying that something is likely
- No doubt she'll call us when she gets there.
- used when you are saying that something is certainly true
- He's made some great movies. There's no doubt about it.
put/throw something into doubt
- to make something uncertain
- The proposed development has been thrown into doubt by the decision.
without/beyond (a) doubt
- used when you are giving your opinion and emphasizing the point that you are making
- This meeting has been, without doubt, one of the most useful we have had so far.
- Without the slightest doubt this is a remarkable exhibition.
- She is without a doubt the best player I know.