skep·ti·cal adjective orscep·ti·cal\-tə̇kəl, -tēk-\ 1.: of, relating to, or characteristic of a skeptic or skepticism < skeptical arguments > 2.: characterized by skepticism < a skeptical listener > < a skeptical look > • skep·ti·cal·ly\-tə̇k(ə)lē, -tēk-, li\adverb • skep·ti·cal·ness\-kəlnə̇s\noun-es