doubt

doubt — noun

1. a situation where you are not sure if something is true, accurate, or will happe

1.nounB1
Definition

a situation where you are not sure if something is true, accurate, or will happen as expected

Example

The journalist expressed doubt about the accuracy of the official report.

express doubt about [something]

There is still considerable doubt among climate scientists regarding the rate of sea-level rise.

there is doubt among [group] regarding [topic]

Common collocations
  • serious doubt
  • considerable doubt
  • lingering doubt
  • raise doubts
  • express doubt
Synonyms
  • uncertainty

    more general and can be factual; 'doubt' implies personal questioning

  • skepticism

    more intellectual and deliberate; 'doubt' can be more emotional

  • hesitation

    focuses on unwillingness to act; 'doubt' focuses on lack of belief

Antonyms

Usage Note

Commonly used in the plural (doubts) when referring to multiple specific uncertainties. Frequently followed by 'about', 'regarding', or 'as to'.

Common Mistakes

I have doubt about his story.
I have doubts about his story.
When referring to specific uncertainties, the plural form 'doubts' is more natural.

2. used to express your belief that a statement or prediction is accurate or likely

2.nounB2
Definition

used to express your belief that a statement or prediction is accurate or likely, even when you cannot prove it

Example

No doubt you have already heard the news about the company merger.

No doubt + past perfect — confident assumption

The director will no doubt be satisfied with the final version of the film.

will no doubt — confident prediction

Common collocations
  • no doubt
  • there is no doubt that
Synonyms
  • undoubtedly

    stronger and more formal; expresses complete certainty

  • surely

    more subjective; expresses the speaker's own expectation

  • doubtless

    more literary and slightly old-fashioned

Grammar Patterns

no doubt + that-clause

no doubt + clause

There is no doubt that…

Usage Note

'No doubt' can express genuine certainty OR a slightly sarcastic or ironic tone depending on context, but the neutral tone is most common for learners. It is softer than 'without doubt' and more tentative than 'undoubtedly'.

Common Mistakes

No doubt he will come tomorrow.' (when meaning a definite fact)
There is no doubt that he will come tomorrow.
For factual certainty, use the full 'There is no doubt that…' structure.

3. to make people feel uncertain about the truth, value, or reliability of somethin

3.nounB2
Definition

to make people feel uncertain about the truth, value, or reliability of something, usually by presenting new information or asking difficult questions

Example

New evidence has cast doubt on the original conclusions of the research paper.

cast doubt on [evidence/conclusions]

The accountant's questions threw doubt on the accuracy of the financial records.

throw doubt on [accuracy/validity]

Common collocations
  • cast doubt on
  • throw doubt on
  • raise doubt about
Synonyms
  • question

    more direct and active; 'cast doubt on' implies causing others to question

  • challenge

    more confrontational; 'cast doubt on' can be more indirect

Antonyms
  • confirm

    to establish the truth or correctness of something

  • validate

    to prove that something is based on truth or fact

Grammar Patterns

cast doubt on [something]

throw doubt on [something]

raise doubt about [something]

Usage Note

The most common verb partner is 'cast' (cast doubt on). 'Throw doubt on' and 'raise doubt about' are less common alternatives. The subject is typically new information, a discovery, or a question.

4. in a state where it is uncertain whether something will continue to exist, be su

4.nounB2
Definition

in a state where it is uncertain whether something will continue to exist, be successful, or happen as planned

Example

The future of the community center remains in doubt after the city council cut its funding.

future remains in doubt

With the team's best player injured, their chances of winning the championship were in doubt.

chances in doubt

Common collocations
  • in doubt
  • remain in doubt
  • future in doubt
Synonyms
  • uncertain

    more general; 'in doubt' specifically implies a risk of failure

  • at risk

    stronger; implies danger or loss, not just uncertainty

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

[something] in doubt

remain in doubt

future/success in doubt

Usage Note

This is a predicative expression — it always follows the verb (be/remain/seem). It cannot be used before a noun like an adjective. 'In doubt' is typically used with abstract subjects like future, success, or chances.

Common Mistakes

The in-doubt project was postponed.
The project was in doubt, so it was postponed.
'In doubt' cannot be used as an adjective before a noun.

5. used to emphasize that you are completely certain about your opinion or judgment

5.nounB2
Definition

used to emphasize that you are completely certain about your opinion or judgment, especially when stating something forcefully

Example

The older violinist is without doubt the most accomplished musician in the orchestra.

without doubt — emphatic opinion

The prosecutor must prove the defendant's guilt beyond reasonable doubt in a criminal trial.

beyond reasonable doubt — legal standard

Common collocations
  • without doubt
  • beyond doubt
  • beyond reasonable doubt
Synonyms
  • undoubtedly

    adverb that can replace 'without doubt' in most contexts

  • indisputably

    more formal; implies no one could argue against it

Grammar Patterns

without doubt

beyond doubt

beyond reasonable doubt

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 2 (no doubt): 'without doubt' / 'beyond doubt' express complete certainty with no tentativeness, while 'no doubt' can sometimes be hedging or ironic. In legal contexts 'beyond reasonable doubt' is a specific standard of proof.

Common Mistakes

Without doubt he is guilty.' (informal writing)
He is without doubt guilty.' or 'Beyond doubt, he is guilty.
'Without doubt' is most natural after the verb 'to be'.
Idioms

give someone the benefit of the doubt

idiom

to choose to believe that someone is telling the truth or behaving correctly, even though there is a possibility that they are not

The teacher decided to give the student the benefit of the doubt and accepted his excuse for being late.

if in doubt

idiom

used to give advice when someone cannot decide what to do, suggesting a safe or recommended course of action

If in doubt about which answer to choose on the test, go with your first instinct.

be in doubt

idiom

To be uncertain about something.

The success of the project is still in doubt.

Is the outcome of the election in doubt?

beyond (any) doubt

idiom

In a way that shows something is completely certain.

The evidence proved beyond doubt that he was guilty.

Her talent is beyond any doubt after that performance.

give somebody the benefit of the doubt

idiom

To believe someone's statement or behavior is true or good because you cannot prove otherwise.

I gave him the benefit of the doubt and trusted his excuse.

Should we give her the benefit of the doubt despite the missing money?

have your doubts (about something)

idiom

To have reasons for being uncertain about whether something is good or will happen.

I have my doubts about the new plan's success.

She has her doubts about his ability to finish on time.

no doubt

idiom

Used to say that something is likely or certain.

No doubt she will arrive late as usual.

He is no doubt the best candidate for the job.

put/throw something into doubt

idiom

To make something uncertain.

The new evidence threw the verdict into doubt.

His resignation put the project's future into doubt.

without/beyond (a) doubt

idiom

Used to emphasize that an opinion is definitely true.

She is without a doubt the most talented singer here.

This is beyond doubt the best meal I have ever had.

doubt — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

These words all involve lack of acceptance, but with important differences in focus and strength. 'Doubt' (verb sense 1) is the most general — it describes an internal state of uncertainty about a claim or possibility, without necessarily taking action ('I doubt the forecast will be accurate'). 'Question' is more active and outward-facing — it implies raising issues or challenging something explicitly ('The committee questioned the methodology of the study'). 'Disbelieve' is much stronger and less common in everyday speech; it means outright rejection of something as false ('He disbelieved the entire account of the incident'). 'Be skeptical of' suggests a reasoned, intellectual stance that waits for evidence before accepting ('Scientists remain skeptical of the unverified claims'). 'Distrust' (closer to verb sense 2) focuses on suspicion of a person's honesty rather than the truth of a claim. Use 'doubt' for everyday uncertainty, 'question' for active inquiry, and 'be skeptical of' for a cautious, evidence-based position.

question ↗disbelievebe skeptical ofdistrust

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • beyond doubt
  • in doubt
  • without doubt
  • no doubt
  • beyond reasonable doubt

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'doubt' entered English through Old French 'douter' (to doubt, to be afraid), which came from Latin 'dubitare' (to hesitate, to be uncertain). The Latin root 'dubius' means 'wavering between two positions'. In Middle English the word was spelled 'douten' without the 'b', following French pronunciation. Scholars later added the 'b' during the Renaissance to make the spelling match the Latin original, even though the 'b' was not pronounced in everyday speech — and still is not pronounced today.