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doubts
/daʊts/
This word carries a heavy weight of skepticism and internal conflict. It describes a mental state where confidence is eroded, creating a gap between what is presented as fact and what the individual believes to be true. It is often used in intellectual or moral contexts where a decision depends on trust.
While similar to suspicion, a doubt is typically more passive and reflective. Suspicion suggests a proactive belief that something wrong is happening, whereas doubt is a lack of certainty that something is right. It manifests as a hesitation to commit to a specific conclusion.
Countable when referring to specific points of uncertainty ('I have three main doubts'). Uncountable when referring to a general state of hesitation ('There is some doubt about the outcome').
💬Conversación Casual
David says the client loves the draft. Any doubts?
Huge ones. He's totally gaslighting us about the deadline.
Meanings
Examples
I have some doubts about the new marketing strategy.
She doubts that the witness is telling the whole truth.
I still have doubts about whether we are right for each other.
The council doubts the feasibility of the project.
Collocations & Compounds
serious doubts
Noun collocation: strong feelings of uncertainty or skepticism
reasonable doubt
Noun collocation: a standard of evidence in law meaning a doubt based on reason and common sense
cast doubt on
Verb collocation: to make something seem less certain or reliable
beyond doubt
Noun collocation: completely certain; indisputable
Idioms & Sayings
beyond a shadow of a doubt
completely certain; without any possibility of being wrong
Etymology
Derived from the Old French word douter, which originated from the Latin dubitare, meaning to hesitate or be uncertain. This Latin root is formed from dubius, meaning doubtful, which is further traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root dweu, signifying two. This suggests a mental state of being divided between two opposing opinions or choices.