This flashcard defines 'dubious' as an adjective meaning questionable, uncertain, or doubtful in outcome or truth. It can describe a person, statement, or situation that inspires doubt, suspicion, or mistrust.
This flashcard defines 'dubious' as an adjective meaning questionable, uncertain, or doubtful in outcome or truth. It can describe a person, statement, or situation that inspires doubt, suspicion, or mistrust.
| Word | dubious |
|---|---|
| Date | July 25, 2015 |
| Type | adjective |
| Syllables | DOO-bee-us |
| Etymology | Dubious derives from the Latin verb dubare, meaning "to hesitate in choice of opinions or courses," and it is related to the Latin word for "two": duo. Dubious can be used to indicate uncertainty about the result of an action or the truth of a statement as well as about the uncertainty of a person and his or her character. In either case, it usually implies a feeling of doubt from suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation. |
| Examples | Jesse made the dubious claim that he could eat a whole watermelon in one sitting; then we sat in awe and watched him do it. "'Can you work with what I have?' he asked, sounding dubious. 'Absolutely!' I said, though I was dubious, too. I'd always staged houses with my own furnishings.'" - Marni Jameson, San Jose Mercury News (California), June 11, 2015 |
| Definition | 1 a : of doubtful promise or outcome b : questionable or suspect as to true nature or quality 2 : unsettled in opinion : doubtful |
Tags: wordoftheday::adjective
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