dubious
adjective/ˈdjuːbiəs/
/ˈduːbiəs/
- [not usually before noun] dubious (about something)/(about doing something) (of a person) not certain about something and suspecting that something may be wrong; not knowing whether something is good or bad synonym doubtful
- I was rather dubious about the whole idea.
- Kate looked dubious, but did as she was asked.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- seem
- sound
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- (disapproving) probably not honest synonym suspicious
- They indulged in some highly dubious business practices to obtain their current position in the market.
- The man who sold it to him was known to be of dubious character.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- seem
- sound
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- that you cannot be sure about; that is probably not good
- They consider the plan to be of dubious benefit to most families.
- (ironic) The town has the dubious honour of having the highest burglary rate in England (= it is not really an honour).
Extra Examples- He has the dubious distinction of being the world's most famous gangster.
- some highly dubious information
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- seem
- sound
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
Word Originmid 16th cent. (in sense (2 and 3)): from Latin dubiosus, from dubium ‘a doubt’, neuter of dubius ‘doubtful’.
Check pronunciation:
dubious