doubtless

[ dout-lis ]

/ ˈdaʊt lɪs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR doubtless ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb Also doubt·less·ly.

without doubt; certainly; surely; unquestionably.

probably or presumably.

adjective

free from doubt or uncertainty; certain, sure.

Nearby words

Origin of doubtless

First recorded in 1300–50, doubtless is from the Middle English word douteles. See doubt, -less

Related formsdoubt·less·ness, noun

Synonym study

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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for doubtless

It was doubtless a warm reunion with his family, who are featured in The Cuban Wives.
Of Cuban Spies, a Baby, and a Filmmaker: The Strange Tale of the Cuban Five|Nina Strochlic|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Doubtless John Kerry, too, would like to see another Israeli leader with whom he could dance a real peace process.
The Inside Story of U.S. Meddling in Israel’s Elections|Aaron David Miller|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is doubtless this sojourn that accounts for her ability to sing in French.
Meet the Future Mrs. Benedict Cumberbatch|Tom Sykes|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And McCain had every reason to be happy that he had put Carney (and, by extension, he doubtless hoped, Obama) on the defensive.
John McCain Roughs Up Jay Carney During His CNN Primetime Debut|Lloyd Grove|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Fans will doubtless flock to Austin to see that dress and two others that adorned Vivien Leigh.
How 'Gone With the Wind' Got Made|Helen Anders|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is always of a deep colour, and is doubtless introduced in the state of cercaria, when the animal is drinking.
Animal Parasites and Messmates|P. J. Van Beneden
The remote ancestors of the fox or of the crow were doubtless less shrewd and cunning than the crows and the foxes of to-day.
Ways of Nature|John Burroughs
It is doubtless true that to see ourselves merely as others see us would not be enough.
Ethics|John Dewey and James Hayden Tufts
So I was forced to bury it under a stone, where it is doubtless alive, to this vary day.
The Three Golden Apples|Nathaniel Hawthorne
Doubtless it often included other elements besides that to which it was properly applied.
Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations|Archibald Sayce

British Dictionary definitions for doubtless

doubtless

/ (ˈdaʊtlɪs) /

adverb Also: doubtlessly (sentence substitute or sentence modifier)

certainly

probably

adjective

certain; assured

Derived Formsdoubtlessness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for doubtless

doubtless

mid-14c. (adv.), mid-15c. (adj.), from doubt (n.) + -less. Related: Doubtlessly.

doubtless

adverb Also doubt·less·ly.

adjective

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of doubtless

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for doubtless

doubtless

adverb Also: doubtlessly (sentence substitute or sentence modifier)

adjective

doubtless