doubtful

4 definitions • 7 examples

If you are doubtful about something, you are uncertain about it:

doubtful about The teacher is doubtful about having parents working as classroom assistants.

If a situation is doubtful, it is unlikely to happen or to be successful:

it is doubtful whether It is doubtful whether they ever reached the summit before they died.

it is doubtful if It is doubtful if the accident could have been prevented.

it is doubtful that It was doubtful that the money would ever be found again.

uncertain or unlikely:

[ + (that) clause ] It was doubtful (that) the money would ever be found.

She gave me a long, doubtful look (= look full of doubt) and told me to wait.

used to describe debts or accounts that are unlikely to be paid:

The Company has established an allowance for doubtful accounts based on the credit risk of specific customers and historical trends.