doubtful
UK: ˈdaʊtf(ə)l | US: ˈdaʊtf(ə)l
adj. uncertain or unsure about something
adj. causing doubt; questionable
adj. (archaic) hesitant or fearful
doubtful = doubt<uncertainty> + ful<full of>
- doubt: From Old French douter (to fear, hesitate), derived from Latin dubitare (to waver, hesitate). The Latin root dub- relates to "two" (as in duality), reflecting indecision.
- ful: A suffix from Old English -full (full of), used to form adjectives indicating abundance or quality.
Etymology Origin:
The word doubtful emerged in Middle English by combining doubt (rooted in the Latin concept of wavering between two choices) with the suffix -ful, creating a term meaning "full of uncertainty." The evolution mirrors the human tendency to quantify hesitation as a state of being "filled" with doubt.
She gave a doubtful look when asked about the plan.
The weather forecast seems doubtful for our picnic tomorrow.
His explanation left me feeling doubtful.
The project's success is doubtful without more funding.
In older texts, "doubtful" often described someone timid or fearful.