noun · 1 syllable · /daʊt/

DOUBT

What does "DOUBT" mean?

A feeling of uncertainty about whether something is true, right, or likely.

Meanings

A feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction about something. There was no doubt in her mind about the answer.
To feel uncertain about something; to question its truth or likelihood. I doubt the train will arrive on time.
To distrust or call into question someone's ability or honesty. Don't doubt yourself before you've even tried.

Did you know?

The silent 'b' in 'doubt' is a scholar's flourish: English took the word from French 'douter' with no 'b', then Renaissance writers re-inserted one to honour the Latin source 'dubitare'.
'Doubt' is rooted in the Latin word for 'two': to doubt is literally to be of two minds, hesitating between possibilities.

Word origin

From Latin 'dubitare' ('to waver, hesitate'), related to 'duo' ('two') - to doubt is to be caught between two minds; the silent 'b' was added by scholars to echo the Latin spelling.

Remember it

DOUBT has a silent B - the letter you can't hear is itself a small reason to doubt the spelling.

A little poem

Between the yes and no a narrow room
where every clock runs slow-
doubt rents it cheap and never leaves.

tercet

Wordplay

Why is the letter B in 'doubt' so insecure? It's always there, but nobody ever calls on it - which gives it serious doubts.

What it teaches

Doubt is not the enemy of belief but its proving ground; certainty untested is only luck.

Quick facts

What does DOUBT mean?

A feeling of uncertainty about whether something is true, right, or likely.

Is DOUBT a valid word?

Yes — DOUBT is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.

How many letters is DOUBT?

DOUBT has 5 letters and 1 syllable.

Where does DOUBT come from?

From Latin 'dubitare' ('to waver, hesitate'), related to 'duo' ('two') - to doubt is to be caught between two minds; the silent 'b' was added by scholars to echo the Latin spelling.

What can DOUBT teach us?