dubious
UK: ˈdjuːbiəs | US: ˈduːbiəs
adj. hesitating or doubting; uncertain
adj. questionable or suspect in nature
adj. open to doubt or interpretation
dubious = dub<doubt> + ious<adjective suffix>
- dub (from Latin dubius, meaning "doubtful" or "wavering")
- ious (a suffix forming adjectives, indicating "full of" or "characterized by")
Etymology Origin:
The word "dubious" traces back to the Latin dubius, meaning "wavering" or "uncertain." The root dub- is also seen in related words like "doubt" and "indubitable." The suffix -ious transforms the root into an adjective, conveying a sense of being "full of doubt." Over time, "dubious" evolved to describe not only personal hesitation but also things that are morally or factually suspect.
She gave a dubious look when presented with the unlikely excuse.
The company's financial reports seemed dubious to the auditors.
His reputation was dubious after the scandal.
The evidence supporting the claim was highly dubious.
I'm dubious about the effectiveness of this new policy.