doubt
doubt
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "doubt" is: /daʊt/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds:
daʊt:
/daʊ/ - diphthong, a combination of two vowel sounds:
/da/ - the "ow" sound as in "cow"
/t/ - voiceless alveolar stop.
Word Form Variations
Noun:
doubt (singular): Represents a state of uncertainty.
doubts (plural): Refers to multiple instances or feelings of uncertainty.
Verb:
doubt (present tense): To feel uncertainty about something.
doubts (third-person singular present tense): He/she/it doubts.
doubted (past tense): Felt uncertainty in the past.
doubting (present participle): The act of feeling uncertainty.
Other related forms:
doubter (noun): A person who doubts.
doubtful (adjective): Full of doubt; uncertain.
doubtingly (adverb): In a doubting manner.
Therefore, the word form variations center around:
The base form "doubt"
Pluralization for the noun ("doubts")
Conjugations for the verb (doubts, doubted, doubting)
and derivative words.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: A feeling of uncertainty, hesitation, or lack of conviction about the truth or reliability of something.
Synonyms: uncertainty, skepticism, hesitation, mistrust, disbelief, apprehension, qualm.
Antonyms: certainty, conviction, belief, trust, confidence, assurance.
Example: "I have serious doubts about the accuracy of those statistics."
Verb:
Definition: To feel uncertain or unsure about something; to question the truth or validity of something.
Synonyms: question, mistrust, disbelieve, suspect, challenge, waver, hesitate.
Antonyms: believe, trust, accept, confirm, affirm, rely on.
Example: "I doubt that he will arrive on time."
Adjective (doubtful):
Definition: Feeling or expressing uncertainty or skepticism; not likely to be true or reliable.
Synonyms: uncertain, questionable, dubious, skeptical, hesitant, unsure, improbable.
Antonyms: certain, sure, reliable, trustworthy, definite, probable.
Example: "It is doubtful whether the plan will succeed."
Adverb (doubtfully/doubtingly):
Definition: In a manner expressing uncertainty or skepticism.
Synonyms: skeptically, uncertainly, hesitantly, questioningly, suspiciously.
Antonyms: certainly, surely, confidently, decisively.
Example: "She looked at him doubtfully before answering."
Noun (doubter):
Definition: A person who has doubts or expresses skepticism.
Synonyms: skeptic, cynic, questioner, disbeliever, pessimist.
Antonyms: believer, optimist, advocate, supporter.
Example: "He was always a doubter when it came to new technology."
Examples of Use
In News and Online Publications:
"There are reasons to doubt that Songtradr will be able to pull off its business goals." (Pitchfork)
"Wolf doubts whether the United States will still be a functioning democracy at the end of the decade." (The New Yorker)
"This raises doubts about the point of advertising." (Various online news sources)
"Many doubt that anyone can get the 218 votes needed to become speaker." (Fortune)
In Literature and Books:
The theme of self-doubt is prevalent in many works of fiction, where characters grapple with internal conflicts and uncertainties.
In many non-fiction books, especially those dealing with historical events or scientific theories, authors often explore areas of uncertainty and "doubt" surrounding the available evidence.
In Entertainment:
In films and television shows, characters often express "doubt" about the intentions of others or the likelihood of success.
The concept of "reasonable doubt" is central to many legal dramas.
Liev Schreiber had his doubts about his role in The Perfect Couple. (People.com)
In General Public Discourse:
In everyday conversations, people express "doubt" about a wide range of things, from the weather to the accuracy of information they have received.
During political debates, opposing sides often try to cast "doubt" on the claims of their opponents.
"Beyond a reasonable doubt" is a common legal phrase.
Key Observations:
The word "doubt" frequently appears in discussions involving uncertainty, skepticism, and the evaluation of evidence.
It is used in both formal and informal settings, reflecting its widespread use in the English language.
10 Famous Quotes Using Doubt
"When in doubt, tell the truth." — Mark Twain
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." — Voltaire
"Faith is, at one and the same time, absolutely necessary and altogether impossible without doubt." — Søren Kierkegaard
"To have doubted one’s own first principles is the mark of a civilized man." — Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
"Doubt is the beginning, not the end, of wisdom." — George Iles
"Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother." — Khalil Gibran
"Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt." — William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure
"Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it." — André Gide
"Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will." — Suzy Kassem
"Doubt is the father of invention." — Ambrose Bierce
Etymology
Let's break down the history of the word "doubt" in a simple way:
Where it Came From:
"Doubt" comes from the Old French word "doute," which meant "fear, doubt, or hesitation."
That Old French word, in turn, came from the Latin word "dubitare," which meant "to waver, hesitate, or be in doubt."
The Latin "dubitare" is related to "duo," meaning "two," because when you doubt, you're often wavering between two possibilities.
The Original Meaning:
So, the core idea behind "doubt" has always been about being uncertain or wavering between two options. It's like your mind is split, not knowing which way to go.
Essentially the first known use of the word carried a feeling of hesitation, and fear, because of the uncertainty that it caused.
In a Nutshell:
Think of "doubt" as originally meaning to feel like you're pulled in two different directions, and that feeling instilling a sense of fear or hesitation.
Over time, the meaning has focused more on the feeling of uncertainty itself, rather than the fear, but the core idea of wavering between two things has remained.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Doubt
Common Phrases and Idioms:
"When in doubt,...": This is a very common phrase, typically finished with advice like "leave it out," "ask," or "don't." It expresses the idea of erring on the side of caution when uncertainty exists.
"Give someone the benefit of the doubt": This means to accept that someone is telling the truth or acting correctly even if you are not sure.
"Raise doubts": To cause uncertainty or questions about something.
"Beyond a reasonable doubt": A legal term meaning there is no other logical explanation, given the facts.
Why "Doubt" Isn't Idiom-Rich:
"Doubt" is a fairly direct concept. It doesn't lend itself to the figurative, often exaggerated nature of many idioms. It's about a state of mind, not a concrete action.
Supplementing with Similar Phrases and Ideas:
"To have reservations": This is close to "having doubts."
"To be on the fence": This expresses the wavering feeling of doubt.
"To question something": This is a direct synonym for doubting.
"To take something with a grain of salt": This means to doubt the truth or accuracy of something.
"To have a sneaking suspicion": This describes a feeling of doubt, usually about something negative.
"To cast aspersions": This means to create or raise doubt about someone's character.
"To be dubious": expresses a state of doubt.
Original Phrases:
"Doubt's shadow": Meaning a lingering feeling of uncertainty.
"The weight of doubt": Describing the burden of uncertainty.
"A seed of doubt": Meaning a small amount of uncertainty that can grow.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of doubt from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
