English Words for "Doubt"

apocryphal

Adjective

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(of a statement or story) unlikely to be authentic, even though it is widely believed to be true

Example

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He shared an apocryphal story about the founding of the city that many people still believe.

The legend of the lost treasure is apocryphal, despite its popularity among locals.

a question mark hang over something

phrase

/ɐ kwˈɛstʃən mˈɑːɹk hˈæŋ ˌoʊvɚ ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ/

Idiom

Informal

a feeling of uncertainty and doubt about something

What is the origin of the idiom "a question mark hangs over something" and when to use it?

The idiom "a question mark hangs over something" is used to express that there are unresolved issues, ambiguities, or unknowns related to the subject in question, and these factors cast doubt or ambiguity over the matter. The phrase originates from the literal image of a question mark, which represents uncertainty in written language.

arguable

Adjective

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open to question and disagreement

(as) far as somebody know

phrase

/æz fˈɑːɹ æz ˌɛsbˈiː nˈoʊ/

used to express one's uncertainty about the statement one has made as there might be something that makes it untrue

to be only a matter of time

phrase

/biː ɐ mˈæɾɚɹ ʌv tˈaɪm/

Idiom

to certainly happen at some point in the future

What is the origin of the idiom "be a matter of time" and when to use it?

The idiom "be a matter of time" is used to convey the idea that a particular event or outcome is inevitable and will occur in the future, although the specific timing may be uncertain. Its origin is not precisely documented, but it has been used for many years to indicate the inevitability of a situation.

confusion

noun

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a state of being confused and not having a clear understanding of an action, behavior, etc.

debatable

Adjective

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subject to argument or disagreement

doubt

noun

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a feeling of disbelief or uncertainty about something

certainty

to doubt

Verb

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to not believe or trust in something's truth or accuracy

Grammatical Information:

transitive

doubtful

Adjective

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improbable or unlikely to happen or be the case

dubious

Adjective

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(of a person) unsure or hesitant about the credibility or goodness of something

halting

Adjective

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acting or talking with hesitation due to uncertainty or lack of confidence

to have half a mind to

phrase

/hæv hˈæf ɐ mˈaɪnd tuː/

Idiom

Informal

to say that one will do something even though they might not really intending to

What is the origin of the idiom "have half a mind to" and when to use it?

The idiom "have half a mind to" has an origin that can be traced back to the concept of divided or incomplete decision-making. The use of "half a mind" implies a state of contemplation or consideration, where one's thoughts or intentions are not fully committed or resolved. It conveys a sense of contemplation or consideration where one is seriously considering taking a certain course of action but has not fully committed to it yet.

to hesitate

Verb

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to pause before saying or doing something because of uncertainty or nervousness

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

iffy

Adjective

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having a feeling of uncertainty or doubt toward something

impossible

Adjective

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not able to occur, exist, or be done

possible

maybe

Adverb

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used to show uncertainty or hesitation

Grammatical Information:

incomparable

adverb of manner

not necessarily

phrase

/nˌɑːt nˌɛsɪsˈɛɹəli/

used usually in a response to show that something may not be true

or what

phrase

/ɔːɹ wˈʌt/

used to show one's uncertainty of something

possibly

Adverb

p

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used to express that something might happen or be true

Grammatical Information:

adverb of manner

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