dubious Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite fraught with uncertainty or doubt
    doubtful.
    • they were doubtful that the cord would hold
    • it was doubtful whether she would be admitted
    • dubious about agreeing to go
  2. adjective satellite open to doubt or suspicion
    in question; dubitable; doubtful.
    • the candidate's doubtful past
    • he has a dubious record indeed
    • what one found uncertain the other found dubious or downright false
    • it was more than dubitable whether the friend was as influential as she thought"- Karen Horney
  3. adjective satellite not convinced
    • they admitted the force of my argument but remained dubious

WordNet

Du"bi*ous adjective
Etymology
L. dubius, dubiosus, fr. duo two. See Two, and cf. Doubt.
Definitions
  1. Doubtful or not settled in opinion; being in doubt; wavering or fluctuating; undetermined. "Dubious policy." Sir T. Scott.
    A dubious, agitated state of mind. Thackeray.
  2. Occasioning doubt; not clear, or obvious; equivocal; questionable; doubtful; as, a dubious answer.
    Wiping the dingy shirt with a still more dubious pocket handkerchief. Thackeray.
  3. Of uncertain event or issue; as, in dubious battle. Syn. -- Doubtful; doubting; unsettled; undetermined; equivocal; uncertain. Cf. Doubtful.

Webster 1913