doubtless
Americanadverb
-
without doubt; certainly; surely; unquestionably.
-
probably or presumably.
adjective
adverb
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certainly
-
probably
adjective
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012Related Words
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.
Other Word Forms
- doubtlessness noun
Etymology
Origin of doubtless
First recorded in 1300–50, doubtless is from the Middle English word douteles. See doubt, -less
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Other auto makers are doubtless facing the same problem.
She took it, but she had already decided where she would walk and she did not want the children to know, as they would doubtless want to come with her.
From Literature
Dickens fans will doubtless remember some of the droller names of the characters in his novels, elaborated in the journal he called his Book of Memoranda.
He doubtless also believed that his government’s survival was in the national interest and made compromises to keep it afloat.
Scottish ministers' generosity will doubtless be popular - in particular with those receiving the payments - but we should not pretend that it was an easy choice to make.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
