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1 doubtful
1) (feeling doubt; uncertain what to think, expect etc: He is doubtful about the future of the school.) dudoso2) (able to be doubted; not clear: The outcome is doubtful; a doubtful result.) dudoso, incierto3) (uncertain but rather unlikely, unhopeful etc: It is doubtful whether this will work; a doubtful improvement.) dudoso, poco probable4) (suspicious: He's rather a doubtful character.) dudoso, sospechosodoubtful adj dudoso / poco probabletr['daʊtfʊl]1 (uncertain - outcome, result, future) dudoso,-a, incierto,-a; (unlikely) poco probable; (look, feeling, expression, etc) de duda, dubitativo,-a2 (questionable, dubious) dudoso,-a, sospechoso,-a\SMALLIDIOMATIC EXPRESSION/SMALLto be doubtful about something tener dudas acerca de algodoubtful ['daʊtfəl] adj1) questionable: dudoso2) uncertain: dudoso, inciertoadj.• ambiguo, -a adj.• dudable adj.• dudoso, -a adj.• incierto, -a adj.'daʊtfəl1)a) ( full of doubt) <expression/tone> de indecisión or duda, dubitativoto be doubtful ABOUT o AS TO something: I am doubtful as to its value — tengo mis dudas acerca de su valor
b) ( in doubt) dudosothe outcome remains doubtful — el resultado sigue siendo dudoso or incierto
it is doubtful that — no es seguro que (+ subj)
2) ( questionable) dudoso['daʊtfʊl]ADJ1) (=uncertain) [result, success, future] incierto, dudoso2) (=unconvinced) [expression] de duda"all right then," he said in a doubtful tone — -bueno, vale -dijo con un tono de duda en la voz
Jeremy nodded his head, but he still looked doubtful — Jeremy asintió pero no parecía aún convencido
to be doubtful that — dudar que + subjun
3) (=unlikely) dudosoa reconciliation between the two sides seems doubtful — una reconciliación entre las dos partes parece dudosa
it is doubtful that they will reach an agreement — es dudoso or poco probable que lleguen a un acuerdo
it is doubtful that there will be any survivors — se duda or es poco probable que haya sobrevivientes
for a moment it seemed doubtful that he would move at all — por un momento pareció que no se iba a mover en absoluto
it is doubtful whether — es poco probable que + subjun
doubtful starter — (Sport) participante mf dudoso
4) (=questionable) [taste, reputation, quality, value] dudoso* * *['daʊtfəl]1)a) ( full of doubt) <expression/tone> de indecisión or duda, dubitativoto be doubtful ABOUT o AS TO something: I am doubtful as to its value — tengo mis dudas acerca de su valor
b) ( in doubt) dudosothe outcome remains doubtful — el resultado sigue siendo dudoso or incierto
it is doubtful that — no es seguro que (+ subj)
2) ( questionable) dudoso -
2 uncertain
1) ((of a person) not sure; not definitely knowing: I'm uncertain of my future plans; The government is uncertain what is the best thing to do.) incierto2) (not definitely known or settled: My plans are still uncertain; The uncertain weather delayed our departure.) incierto•uncertain adj1. inseguro2. inciertotr[ʌn'sɜːtən]1 (not certain) incierto,-a, dudoso,-a2 (unspecified) indeterminado,-a3 (indecisive) indeciso,-a4 (changeable) variable\SMALLIDIOMATIC EXPRESSION/SMALLto be uncertain of/about/as to something no estar seguro de algo■ he is still uncertain as to his participation aún no sabe seguro si va a participar, aún no está seguro de si va a participarin no uncertain terms claramente, sin rodeos, sin titubeosuncertain [.ʌn'sərtən] adj1) indefinite: indeterminado2) unsure: incierto, dudoso3) changeable: inestable, variableuncertain weather: tiempo inestable4) hesitant: indeciso5) vague: poco claroadj.• aleatorio, -a adj.• ambiguo, -a adj.• dudoso, -a adj.• incierto, -a adj.• inseguro, -a adj.'ʌn'sɜːrtṇ, ʌn'sɜːtṇ1)a) ( unsure) (pred)to be uncertain ABOUT/OF something — no estar* seguro de algo
b) ( hesitant) <voice/movement> vacilante2)a) ( doubtful) <prospects/future> inciertob) (changeable, unreliable) <weather/situation> inestable3) ( vague)in no uncertain terms — muy claramente, inequívocamente
[ʌn'sɜːtn]ADJ1) (=unsure)•
to be uncertain about/of sth — no estar seguro de algoshe is uncertain about the future/what to do next/how to proceed — no está segura sobre el futuro/de qué hacer ahora/de cómo proceder
•
I am uncertain as to whether she was involved in the accident — no estoy seguro si ella estuvo implicada en el accidente•
I am uncertain whether to accept — no estoy seguro si aceptar2) (=doubtful) [future, outcome, destiny] inciertothe fate of the refugees remains uncertain — la suerte de los refugiados sigue siendo incierta or sigue sin conocerse
in no uncertain terms — sin dejar lugar a dudas, claramente
3) (=changeable) [conditions] inestable; [weather, temper] variable4) (=indecisive) [voice] indeciso; [smile] tímido, indeciso; [step] vacilante5) (=indeterminate) indeterminado* * *['ʌn'sɜːrtṇ, ʌn'sɜːtṇ]1)a) ( unsure) (pred)to be uncertain ABOUT/OF something — no estar* seguro de algo
b) ( hesitant) <voice/movement> vacilante2)a) ( doubtful) <prospects/future> inciertob) (changeable, unreliable) <weather/situation> inestable3) ( vague)in no uncertain terms — muy claramente, inequívocamente
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3 questionable
1) (doubtful; uncertain.) cuestionable, discutible2) (probably not true, honest, respectable: questionable behaviour.) dudosotr['kwesʧənəbəl]1 (debatable) cuestionable, discutible2 (doubtful) dudoso,-a, sospechoso,-a\SMALLIDIOMATIC EXPRESSION/SMALLof questionable taste de gusto dudosoquestionable ['kwɛsʧənəbəl] adj: dudoso, discutible, cuestionablequestionable results: resultados discutiblesquestionable motives: motivos sospechososadj.• cuestionable adj.• dudoso, -a adj.'kwestʃənəbəla) ( debatable) <value/assertion> cuestionable, discutibleb) ( of dubious morality) < behavior> cuestionable['kwestʃǝnǝbl]ADJ1) (=uncertain, debatable) [assumption, significance, value] discutible, cuestionableit is questionable whether... — es discutible si...
2) (=morally dubious) [behaviour, method, practice] cuestionable* * *['kwestʃənəbəl]a) ( debatable) <value/assertion> cuestionable, discutibleb) ( of dubious morality) < behavior> cuestionable -
4 doubt
1. verb1) (to feel uncertain about, but inclined not to believe: I doubt if he'll come now; He might have a screwdriver, but I doubt it.) dudar2) (not to be sure of the reliability of: Sometimes I doubt your intelligence!) dudar de
2. noun(a feeling of not being sure and sometimes of being suspicious: There is some doubt as to what happened; I have doubts about that place.) duda- doubtful- doubtfully
- doubtfulness
- doubtless
- beyond doubt
- in doubt
- no doubt
doubt1 n dudadoubt2 vb dudartr[daʊt]■ there's no doubt about it/that de eso no cabe duda, de eso no hay duda1 (be uncertain about, not trust) dudar de2 (consider unlikely) dudar■ I doubt whether he'll come dudo que venga, no creo que venga1 dudar\SMALLIDIOMATIC EXPRESSION/SMALLbeyond (a/any) doubt sin duda alguna, fuera de (toda) dudabeyond all reasonable doubt SMALLLAW/SMALL más allá de toda duda fundadaif/when in doubt en caso de dudano doubt sin duda, seguramenteto be in doubt (fact, integrity) estar en duda, estar en tela de juicio, ser dudoso,-a 2 (outcome, result) ser incierto,-ato be in doubt about something dudar algoto cast doubt on something poner algo en duda, poner algo en tela de juicioto give somebody the benefit of the doubt conceder a alguien el beneficio de la dudawithout (a) doubt sin duda alguna, sin la menor duda, indudablementedoubt ['daʊt] vt1) question: dudar de, cuestionar2) distrust: desconfiar de3) : dudar, creer poco probableI doubt it very much: lo dudo muchodoubt n1) uncertainty: duda f, incertidumbre f2) distrust: desconfianza f3) skepticism: duda f, escepticismo mn.• dubitación s.f.• duda s.f.• espina s.f.• reconcomio s.m.• reparo s.m.• rescoldo s.m.• sospecha s.f.v.• dudar v.• escrupulizar v.• sospechar v.• temer v.
I daʊta) u ( uncertainty) duda f, incertidumbre fno doubt she will phone — con seguridad que llama, seguro que llama
she is, without (a) doubt, the best — es, sin duda alguna or sin la menor duda or indudablemente, la mejor
his integrity is not in doubt — su integridad no está en duda or en tela de juicio
beyond reasonable doubt — ( Law) más allá de toda duda fundada
if in doubt, don't go — si estás en (la) duda, no vayas
to cast doubt on something — poner* algo en duda
b) c ( reservation) duda f
II
a) \<\<factuth\>\> dudar deb) ( consider unlikely) dudar[daʊt]to doubt (THAT) o if o whether — dudar que (+ subj)
1.N (=uncertainty, qualm) duda f•
there is some doubt about it — sobre esto existen dudas•
beyond doubt — fuera de duda•
to cast doubt on — poner en duda•
to clear up sb's doubts — sacar a algn de dudas•
to have one's doubts about sth — tener sus dudas acerca de algo•
to be in doubt — [person] tener dudas, dudar; [sb's honesty etc] ser dudososhe was in doubt whether to... — dudaba si...
if or when in doubt — en caso de duda
•
no doubt! — ¡sin duda!there is no doubt that — es indudable que, no cabe duda de que
•
to throw doubt on — poner en dudaplant 2., 2)•
without (a) doubt — sin duda (alguna)2. VT1) [+ truth of statement etc] dudar2) (=be uncertain)to doubt whether or if — dudar si
3.VI dudardoubting Thomas — (fig) incrédulo(-a) m / f, escéptico(-a) m / f
* * *
I [daʊt]a) u ( uncertainty) duda f, incertidumbre fno doubt she will phone — con seguridad que llama, seguro que llama
she is, without (a) doubt, the best — es, sin duda alguna or sin la menor duda or indudablemente, la mejor
his integrity is not in doubt — su integridad no está en duda or en tela de juicio
beyond reasonable doubt — ( Law) más allá de toda duda fundada
if in doubt, don't go — si estás en (la) duda, no vayas
to cast doubt on something — poner* algo en duda
b) c ( reservation) duda f
II
a) \<\<fact/truth\>\> dudar deb) ( consider unlikely) dudarto doubt (THAT) o if o whether — dudar que (+ subj)
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5 dubious
'dju:biəs1) (doubtful: I am dubious about the wisdom of this action.) dudoso2) (probably not honest: dubious behaviour.) sospechoso•- dubiety- dubiousness
tr['djʊːbɪəs]1 (questionable, suspect - morals, activities, origin) dudoso,-a, sospechoso,-a; (past, record) turbio,-a; (compliment) ambiguo,-a, equívoco,-a; (character) sospechoso,-a2 (unsure) dudoso,-a, indeciso,-a\SMALLIDIOMATIC EXPRESSION/SMALLto be dubious about something tener dudas sobre algo, tener reservas sobre algodubious ['du:biəs, 'dju:-] adj1) uncertain: dudoso, indeciso2) questionable: sospechoso, dudoso, discutibleadj.• dubitativo, -a adj.• dudoso, -a adj.• turbio, -a adj.'duːbiəs, 'djuːbiəsa) ( questionable) <honor/achievement> dudoso, discutible; < past> turbio; <motives/person> sospechosob) ( doubtful)to be dubious (ABOUT something/somebody) — tener* reservas or dudas (sobre or acerca de algo/alguien)
['djuːbɪǝs]ADJ1) (=questionable) [reputation, claim, privilege, taste] dudoso; [person, character, motives] sospechoso; [company, offer] poco fiable; [business deal, practice] sospechoso, turbio; [idea, measure] discutible; [compliment] equívocoto have the dubious honour/pleasure of doing sth — tener el dudoso honor/placer de hacer algo
2) (=unsure) [look, smile] indecisoto be dubious — tener dudas or reservas
I was dubious at first, but he convinced me — al principio tenía mis dudas or reservas, pero él me convenció
I'm very dubious about it — tengo grandes dudas or reservas sobre ello
I am dubious that or whether the new law will achieve anything — tengo mis dudas or reservas sobre si la nueva ley va a lograr algo
•
he looked dubious — parecía tener dudas or reservas, parecía dudar•
he sounded dubious — parecía tener dudas or reservas, parecía dudar* * *['duːbiəs, 'djuːbiəs]a) ( questionable) <honor/achievement> dudoso, discutible; < past> turbio; <motives/person> sospechosob) ( doubtful)to be dubious (ABOUT something/somebody) — tener* reservas or dudas (sobre or acerca de algo/alguien)
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6 question
'kwes ən
1. noun1) (something which is said, written etc which asks for an answer from someone: The question is, do we really need a computer?) pregunta2) (a problem or matter for discussion: There is the question of how much to pay him.) cuestión, problema3) (a single problem in a test or examination: We had to answer four questions in three hours.) pregunta, problema4) (criticism; doubt; discussion: He is, without question, the best man for the job.) (sin) duda5) (a suggestion or possibility: There is no question of our dismissing him.) posibilidad
2. verb1) (to ask (a person) questions: I'll question him about what he was doing last night.) interrogar2) (to regard as doubtful: He questioned her right to use the money.) cuestionar, poner en duda•- questionably
- questionableness
- question mark
- question-master
- questionnaire
- in question
- out of the question
question1 n1. preguntacan I ask you a question? ¿puedo hacerte una pregunta?2. cuestión / problema / asuntoquestion2 vb1. hacer preguntas / interrogar2. dudar de / cuestionartr['kwesʧən]1 pregunta2 (in exam) pregunta, problema nombre masculino4 (topic, matter) cuestión nombre femenino, asunto1 hacer preguntas a, interrogar■ the detained are being questioned about the holdup están interrogando a los detenidos sobre el atraco2 (cast doubt on) cuestionar, poner en duda\SMALLIDIOMATIC EXPRESSION/SMALLit's a question of se trata de, es cuestión deout of the question imposible, impensablethat is the question de eso se trata, he aquí la dificultadto call into question poner en duda, dudar dewithout question sin rechistarquestion mark (punctuation mark) signo de interrogación, interrogación nombre femenino, interrogante nombre masculino 2 (doubt) interrogante nombre masculinoquestion tag coletillaquestion ['kwɛsʧən] vt1) ask: preguntar2) doubt: poner en duda, cuestionar3) interrogate: interrogarquestion viinquire: inquirir, preguntarquestion n1) query: pregunta f2) issue: asunto m, problema f, cuestión f3) possibility: posibilidad fit's out of the question: es indiscutible4) doubt: duda fto call into question: poner en dudaadj.• interrogante adj.n.• asunto s.m.• cuestión s.f.• interrogación s.f.• pregunta s.f.• problema s.m.v.• cuestionar v.• disputar v.• hacer preguntas a v.• interrogar v.• preguntar v.
I 'kwestʃəna) c ( inquiry) pregunta fto ask o put a question — hacer* or (frml) formular una pregunta
to pop the question — (colloq)
b) c (in quiz, exam) pregunta fthe 64,000 dollar question — la pregunta del millón
c) c (issue, problem) cuestión f, asunto m, problema mif it's a question of money... — si es cuestión or se trata de dinero...
to beg the question — ( pose the question) plantear la pregunta; ( evade the issue) eludir el problema; ( make unjustified assumption)
this begs the question whether we really want to live in this kind of society — esto da por sentado or tiene como premisa que éste es el tipo de sociedad en la que queremos vivir
d) u ( doubt) duda fto call something into question — poner* algo en duda
e) u ( possibility) posibilidad f
II
a) \<\<person\>\> hacerle* preguntas a; \<\<suspect/student\>\> interrogar*b) ( doubt) \<\<integrity/motives\>\> poner* en duda['kwestʃǝn]1. N(are there) any questions? — ¿(hay) alguna pregunta?
•
to ask (sb) a question — hacer una pregunta (a algn)what a question to ask! — ¡vaya preguntita!
there's a reward for the painting's return, no questions asked — se ofrece una recompensa sin preguntas por la devolución del cuadro
•
"why didn't you appoint him a year ago?" - " good question" — -¿por qué no lo nombraste hace un año? -buena pregunta or -eso me pregunto yo•
he posed three questions — hizo or planteó tres preguntas•
to put a question to sb — frm hacer una pregunta a algn•
to put down a question to or for sb — (Parl) formular una pregunta a algnleading 2., open 1., 10), personal 1., 4), pop I, 3., 2), trick 3.•
to obey orders without question — obedecer órdenes sin rechistar2) (=matter, issue) cuestión fthat is the question — de eso se trata, esa es la cuestión
that is not the question — no se trata de eso, no es cuestión de eso
•
at the time in question — a la hora en cuestión•
it is not simply a question of money — no se trata simplemente de dinero, no es una simple cuestión de dinero•
this raises the question of her suitability — esto plantea la cuestión de si es la persona adecuadabeg 1., 1)•
it's only a question of time before he finds out — solo es cuestión de tiempo que se entere3) (=possibility) posibilidad f•
there is no question of outside help — no hay posibilidad de ayuda externa•
it's out of the question! — ¡imposible!, ¡ni hablar!4) (=doubt) duda f•
as a manager, her ability is beyond question — como directora, su capacidad está fuera de toda dudamy integrity has been brought or called into question — mi integridad se ha puesto en duda
•
to be in question — estar en dudayour professional ability is not in question — no es tu capacidad como profesional lo que se pone en duda
his findings pose questions about the future of these drugs — sus descubrimientos hacen que se planteen preguntas sobre el futuro de estas drogas
•
this disaster raises questions about air safety in the region — con el desastre se ha puesto en duda la seguridad aérea en la zona•
the question remains (as to) whether he can be trusted — la duda or la cuestión sigue siendo si se puede confiar en élthe question remains: how did she escape? — la pregunta sigue ahí: ¿cómo escapó?
•
there is some question as to whether he will sign — hay or existen ciertas dudas sobre si firmará•
without question — sin duda, indudablemente2. VT1) (=interrogate) [+ exam candidate, interviewee] hacer preguntas a; [+ suspect] interrogar; (Parl) [+ minister, secretary] interpelarthey questioned him about his past — le hicieron preguntas or le preguntaron acerca de su pasado
the minister was questioned about his statement to Parliament — se interpeló al ministro sobre su declaración ante el Parlamento
2) (=doubt) [+ honesty, loyalty, motives] dudar de, poner en duda; [+ decision, beliefs] poner en duda, cuestionar3.CPDquestion mark N — (lit) signo m de interrogación; (fig) interrogante m or f
question master N — interrogador m
question tag N — coletilla f interrogativa
question time N — (Brit) (Parl) sesión f de interpelaciones a los ministros
* * *
I ['kwestʃən]a) c ( inquiry) pregunta fto ask o put a question — hacer* or (frml) formular una pregunta
to pop the question — (colloq)
b) c (in quiz, exam) pregunta fthe 64,000 dollar question — la pregunta del millón
c) c (issue, problem) cuestión f, asunto m, problema mif it's a question of money... — si es cuestión or se trata de dinero...
to beg the question — ( pose the question) plantear la pregunta; ( evade the issue) eludir el problema; ( make unjustified assumption)
this begs the question whether we really want to live in this kind of society — esto da por sentado or tiene como premisa que éste es el tipo de sociedad en la que queremos vivir
d) u ( doubt) duda fto call something into question — poner* algo en duda
e) u ( possibility) posibilidad f
II
a) \<\<person\>\> hacerle* preguntas a; \<\<suspect/student\>\> interrogar*b) ( doubt) \<\<integrity/motives\>\> poner* en duda -
7 duda
Del verbo dudar: ( conjugate dudar) \ \
duda es: \ \3ª persona singular (él/ella/usted) presente indicativo2ª persona singular (tú) imperativoMultiple Entries: duda dudar
duda sustantivo femenino 1 (interrogante, sospecha) doubt;◊ expuso sus dudas sobre … he expressed his reservations about …;tengo unas dudas para consultar I have a few points I'd like to check; me ha surgido una duda there's something I'm not sure about; ¿tienen alguna duda? are there any queries o questions?; nunca tuve la menor duda de que tenía razón I never doubted that he was right; fuera de (toda) duda beyond (all) doubt; de eso no cabe la menor duda there's absolutely no doubt about that; lo pongo en duda I doubt it; sin duda or sin lugar a dudas undoubtedly; sin duda ya te lo habrás preguntado no doubt you'll have already asked yourself that question; para salir de dudas just to be doubly sure 2 (estado de incertidumbre, indecisión): a ver si puedes sacarme de la duda do you think you can clear something up for me?; si estás en (la) duda no lo compres if you're not sure don't buy it
dudar ( conjugate dudar) verbo transitivo to doubt;◊ dudo que lo haya terminado I doubt if o whether he's finished itverbo intransitivo: duda entre comprar y alquilar she can't make up her mind whether to buy or rent; duda en hacer algo to hesitate to do sth; duda de algo/algn to doubt sth/sb
duda sustantivo femenino doubt: la lectura le despertó esa duda, reading aroused that doubt in him
su integridad está fuera de toda duda, her integrity is beyond question
puso en duda la viabilidad del proyecto, he questioned the viability of the project Locuciones: sin (lugar a) duda, (ciertamente) es sin duda alguna el mejor producto del mercado, it's without question the best product on the market
dudar
I verbo intransitivo
1 to doubt: no dudes de él, don't distrust him
2 (estar indeciso) to hesitate [en, to]: dudaban entre comprarlo o no, they hesitated whether to buy it or not
II verbo transitivo to doubt: dudo mucho que se disculpe, I very much doubt that he'll apologize ' duda' also found in these entries: Spanish: acaso - caber - debatirse - despejar - desvanecerse - disipar - existir - inseguridad - plantear - poner - reconcomer - reparo - reserva - sombra - abrigar - aclarar - asaltar - bueno - consultar - dudar - entrar - entredicho - leve - perdurar - reflejar - resolver - seguro - titubeo English: benefit - burn out - cast - clinch - definitely - doubt - doubtless - if - illuminate - illumination - misgiving - pocket - positively - qualm - query - question - seed - settle - should - surely - uncertainty - vestige - well - bound - definite - doubtful - element - self- - shadow - undoubtedly -
8 unsure
unsure adj inseguro / no segurotr[ʌn'ʃʊəSMALLr/SMALL]1 inseguro,-a, poco seguro,-a\SMALLIDIOMATIC EXPRESSION/SMALLto be unsure about something dudar de algoto be unsure of oneself dudar de sí mismo, carecer de confianza en sí mismounsure [.ʌn'ʃʊr] adj: incierto, dudosoadj.• defectible adj.• inseguro, -a adj.• poco seguro adj.'ʌn'ʃʊr, ʌn'ʃʊə(r), ʌn'ʃɔː(r)to be unsure ABOUT something: I'm unsure about that no estoy seguro de eso; I'm unsure about asking her no sé si pedírselo o no; to be unsure OF something: I'm unsure of my own feelings me siento inseguro de mis sentimientos; to be unsure of oneself — estar* or sentirse* inseguro de sí mismo
['ʌn'ʃʊǝ(r)]ADJ1) (=doubtful, undecided)•
to be unsure about/of sth — no estar seguro de algoshe looked at him, unsure of his reaction — lo miró, sin estar segura de su reacción
•
I was unsure what to expect — no estaba segura de qué esperar•
he was unsure whether he would be able to do it — no estaba seguro de si sería capaz de hacerlo2) (=lacking confidence) inseguro, poco seguroshe seemed nervous and unsure — parecía nerviosa e insegura, parecía nerviosa y poco segura
•
to be unsure of o.s. — no estar seguro de uno mismo, no tener confianza en sí mismo3) (=unreliable) [situation, economic climate] poco seguro; [loyalty, commitment] poco fiable* * *['ʌn'ʃʊr, ʌn'ʃʊə(r), ʌn'ʃɔː(r)]to be unsure ABOUT something: I'm unsure about that no estoy seguro de eso; I'm unsure about asking her no sé si pedírselo o no; to be unsure OF something: I'm unsure of my own feelings me siento inseguro de mis sentimientos; to be unsure of oneself — estar* or sentirse* inseguro de sí mismo
См. также в других словарях:
doubtful — doubtful, dubious 1. The constructions that follow doubtful correspond to the pattern outlined for doubt above, with whether and if still dominant but a that clause now increasingly common: • It is doubtful that in the right to life controversy… … Modern English usage
doubtful — doubtful, dubious, problematic, questionable are comparable when they mean not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, success, or certainty of something or someone. Doubtful and dubious are sometimes used with little distinction. Doubtful,… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
doubtful — doubt|ful [ˈdautfəl] adj 1.) probably not true or not likely to happen ▪ Prospects for a lasting peace remain doubtful. it is doubtful if/whether ▪ It was doubtful whether the patient would survive the operation. it is doubtful that ▪ It is… … Dictionary of contemporary English
doubtful — adjective 1 having doubts about something: The journalist looked doubtful when he heard her story. (+ if/whether): I m still doubtful whether I should accept this job. | doubtful about (doing) sth: At first we were doubtful about employing… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
doubtful — [[t]da͟ʊtfʊl[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED: usu v link ADJ, oft it v link ADJ that/wh If it is doubtful that something will happen, it seems unlikely to happen or you are uncertain whether it will happen. For a time it seemed doubtful that he would move at… … English dictionary
doubtful — doubt|ful [ dautfəl ] adjective ** 1. ) not usually before noun not certain or likely to happen or be true: Already the whole project was looking doubtful. it is doubtful (that)/whether/if/how: It is doubtful whether he will survive. a ) MAINLY… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
doubtful */*/ — UK [ˈdaʊtf(ə)l] / US [ˈdaʊtfəl] adjective 1) a) [not usually before noun] not certain or likely to happen or be true Already the whole project was looking doubtful. it is doubtful (that)/whether/if/how: It is doubtful whether he will survive. b)… … English dictionary
doubtful — adj. 1) doubtful of 2) doubtful that + inf. (it s doubtful that she will be present) USAGE NOTE: see the Usage Note for doubtI. Thus, to express uncertainty , one can say it is doubtful whether they will finish on time. To express disbelief, one… … Combinatory dictionary
doubtful — adjective 1) I was doubtful about going Syn: hesitant, in doubt, unsure, uncertain, in two minds, in a quandary, in a dilemma 2) it is doubtful whether he will come Syn: in doubt, uncertain, open to question … Synonyms and antonyms dictionary
doubtful — [ˈdaʊtf(ə)l] adj 1) not certain or likely to happen or to be true It is doubtful whether he will survive.[/ex] 2) not feeling certain about something Eddie looked doubtful, but agreed.[/ex] doubtfully adv … Dictionary for writing and speaking English
doubtful — adjective Date: 14th century 1. giving rise to doubt ; open to question < it is doubtful that they ever knew what happened > 2. a. lacking a definite opinion, conviction, or determination < they were doubtful about the ad … New Collegiate Dictionary