French Conversation · Level 36
75 words
French word
douteux
Pronunciation
IPA/dutø/
Meaning
- adjectivedubious
Example
Son alibi est douteux.
His alibi is dubious.
More examples
Cet e-mail paraît douteux.
This email seems suspicious.
Core concept
A claim or object with a question mark hanging over its truth or reliability.
Common phrases
comportement douteux
suspicious behavior
alibi douteux
suspicious alibi
message douteux
suspicious message
Similar words
suspect: Seeming untrustworthy because something about it is unusual or poorly supported.
louche: Giving the impression of dishonesty or concealed wrongdoing.
incertain: Uncertain because the result or judgment has not been firmly determined.
flou: Lacking clear detail or meaning, as with a vague explanation.
Definition in French
Qui cause ou suscite des hésitations au sujet de la vérité ou de la fiabilité d'une chose.
Word origin
French douteux derives from Old French doute with the adjective suffix -eux, ultimately linked to Latin dubitare, meaning 'to doubt'.
Usage tips
- In French, douteux often describes evidence, explanations, or motives as questionable, while English doubtful more often describes uncertainty itself.