Dubious
/ˈduːbiəs/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Dubious describes a feeling or situation where you are not sure if something is true, right, or good. It can mean you have doubts or you think something might be suspicious or not trustworthy. People use it when they question the quality or honesty of something.
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See It in Action
Feeling unsure or doubtful about something
- •I was dubious about his explanation because it did not make sense.
- •She gave a dubious look when he told her the story.
- •We are dubious whether the plan will work as expected.
Suspicious or possibly dishonest or not good
- •The company’s dubious business practices worried the customers.
- •He made a dubious claim that he could finish the work in one day.
- •That website looks dubious; I don’t trust it.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "dubious" like "not sure" (A1 word), but stronger—it means you really doubt or question something
- ✓Picture a person raising an eyebrow and looking carefully at a strange offer or story, unsure if it is true
- ✓It’s the feeling you get when you hear a surprising fact that sounds a little strange or hard to believe
- ✓Sounds like "DOUBT-ee-us" → imagine someone saying "I DOUBT this is true," which helps remember it means doubt or suspicion
- ✓Think of a detective looking at clues that don’t add up—feeling dubious about the story they hear
- ✓NOT like "certain" (100% sure), "dubious" means you have doubts or questions
- ✓NOT like "confident" (feeling sure), dubious means you feel unsure or suspicious
- ✓NOT like "bad" (definitely wrong), dubious can mean maybe bad or maybe just unclear or doubtful
Try Other Words
- •Skeptical: not easily believing something (Use when you want to show a careful or questioning attitude)
- •Uncertain: not sure about something (Use when you want to express simple lack of surety)
- •Suspicious: thinking something might be wrong or dishonest (Use when you want to emphasize distrust)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix, but related to "doubt")
- •Etymology: From Latin "dubiosus," meaning "full of doubt" or "uncertain"
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 1600s to describe feelings of doubt or suspicion
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe feelings of doubt or things that seem questionable or not trustworthy
Reflect & Connect
•When have you felt dubious about a situation or person? What made you feel that way?
•How can you tell the difference between being dubious because you are careful and being suspicious because you think something is wrong?
Fill in the blanks
1.She felt dubious ___ the truth of his story because it sounded strange and unlikely.
2.The offer seemed dubious, so I was ___ about accepting it without more information.
3.Unlike a clear and honest answer, a dubious explanation often makes people feel ___.
4.When someone acts in a dubious way, it can make others feel ___ or worried about their intentions.
5.He was dubious ___ the results because the data did not match what he expected.
6.People often use the word dubious to describe things that look ___ or not trustworthy.
7.If you are dubious about a plan, you might want to ask more questions or ___ before agreeing.