doubt

1 /daUt/ noun

1 UNCERTAIN FEELING (C, U) a feeling or feelings of being uncertain about something

(+ about/as to): Maisie expressed private doubts about Lawrence's sanity. (+ whether/who/what etc): There's no doubt who was responsible for this outrage. (+ (that)): I have little doubt that the coup will succeed. | cast doubt(s) on sth/raise doubts about sth (=say that something may not be true or real): The new evidence cast some doubt on his reliability as a witness. | an element of doubt (=a slight doubt) | without a shadow of a doubt (=there is no doubt at all)

2 no doubt used when you are saying that you think something is probably true: No doubt she was disturbed by the noise. | no doubt about it (=it is certainly true): Someone had been eavesdropping, no doubt about it.

3 have your doubts (about) used to say that you have reasons for not feeling certain about something or someone: “Don't you think she'd be a good candidate?” “Well, I have my doubts.”

4 if/when in doubt used when advising someone what to do: If in doubt, don't eat it.

5 be in doubt if someone's or something's future or success is in doubt, they may not be able to continue or succeed: The future of the public library is in doubt.

6 be in doubt about to not be certain about something: He's still in some doubt about what to do.

7 be beyond doubt if something is beyond doubt, it is completely certain: Patel's integrity is beyond doubt. | beyond reasonable doubt law: Her guilt was established beyond reasonable doubt.

8 without/beyond doubt formal used to emphasize an opinion: Sally was without doubt one of the finest swimmers in the school.

9 open to doubt something that is open to doubt has not been proved to be definitely true or real: The authenticity of the relics is open to doubt.

—see also: self­doubt, give sb/sth the benefit of the doubt benefit 1 (4) 2 verb (transitive not in progressive)

1 to think that something may not be true: Kim never doubted his story. | doubt (that): I don't doubt that he's a brilliant scientist, but can he teach?

2 especially spoken to think that something is unlikely: doubt if/whether: You can complain, but I doubt if it'll make any difference. | doubt sth: “Do you think there'll be any tickets left?” “I very much doubt it.” | doubt (that): I doubt that we'll ever see George again.

3 to not trust or have confidence in someone: If anyone doubts my ability to handle this, they should say so. | doubt sb's word (=think that someone may not be telling the truth)

— doubter noun (C)