doubtless

doubtless
—doubtlessness, n.
/dowt"lis/, adv. Also, doubtlessly.
1. without doubt; certainly; surely; unquestionably.
2. probably or presumably.
adj.
3. free from doubt or uncertainty; certain, sure.
[1300-50; ME douteles. See DOUBT, -LESS]
Syn. 1, 2. DOUBTLESS, UNDOUBTEDLY, INDUBITABLY, UNQUESTIONABLY are adverbs that express certainty. DOUBTLESS, although it sometimes denotes an absolute degree of certainty, more often means "probably," "presumably," or "no doubt": She will doubtless accept the offer. UNDOUBTEDLY means "beyond doubt": undoubtedly the most prolific and popular composer of his time.
INDUBITABLY and UNQUESTIONABLY both affirm an unassailable conviction; they differ only in tone, INDUBITABLY being appropriate to more formal or learned discourse and UNQUESTIONABLY appropriate in a wider range of contexts and styles: an indubitably (or unquestionably) accurate transliteration of the hieroglyphic text; unquestionably the hottest running back in the league.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • doubtless — doubtless, no doubt, undoubtedly, doubtlessly 1. Fowler (1926) rightly noted that doubtless and no doubt, used adverbially, convey probability rather than certainty about what follows, so that They are doubtless [or no doubt] guilty and No doubt… …   Modern English usage

  • Doubtless — Doubt less, a. Free from fear or suspicion. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Pretty child, sleep doubtless and secure. Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Doubtless — Doubt less, adv. Undoubtedly; without doubt. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • doubtless — index axiomatic, categorical, certain (positive), clear (certain), definite, demonstrable, indubi …   Law dictionary

  • doubtless — mid 14c. (adv.), mid 15c. (adj.), from DOUBT (Cf. doubt) + LESS (Cf. less). Related: Doubtlessly …   Etymology dictionary

  • doubtless — [adv] certainly; most likely absolutely, apparently, assuredly, clearly, easily, for sure, indisputably, no ifs ands or buts*, of course, ostensibly, positively, precisely, presumably, probably, seemingly, supposedly, surely, truly, undoubtedly,… …   New thesaurus

  • doubtless — ► ADVERB ▪ very probably. DERIVATIVES doubtlessly adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • doubtless — [dout′lis] adj. [ME douteles] Rare free from doubt; sure adv. 1. without doubt; certainly 2. probably doubtlessly adv. doubtlessness n …   English World dictionary

  • doubtless — [[t]da͟ʊtləs[/t]] ADV: ADV with cl/group If you say that something is doubtless the case, you mean that you think it is probably or almost certainly the case. He will doubtless try and persuade his colleagues to change their minds... Doubtless he …   English dictionary

  • doubtless —  , undoubtedly, indubitably   Tonight he faces what is doubtlessly the toughest and loneliest choice of his 13 year stewardship of the Palestine Liberation Organization (Washington Post). Since doubtless can be an adverb as well as an adjective,… …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”