Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a doubtful manner; with doubt or hesitation; so as to indicate or admit of doubt.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adverb In a doubtful manner.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a doubtful manner, in context of doubt or ambiguity, questionably.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb in a doubtful manner

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

doubtful +‎ -ly

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Examples

  • The innovation — ary —” he tasted the coinage doubtfully, “— steps, that you will agree are necessary, will cost twenty thousand dollars American.

    Tender is the Night 2003

  • "You seem very well dressed," doubtfully; "and you do not look hungry."

    A Splendid Hazard Harold MacGrath 1901

  • "It would be very nice indeed," doubtfully; "but who could we get to go with us?"

    Clover Susan Coolidge 1870

  • I "-- doubtfully," am I speaking to Miss Massereene? "

    Molly Bawn Margaret Wolfe Hamilton

  • "I don't know," doubtfully; "from what I have read, there are more puppets in and about a City Hall than ever dangled in the puppet booth.

    Half a Rogue Harold MacGrath 1901

  • Only I thought, "doubtfully," that as you've always admired Phil's room so much, you might like to secure it now that we have to go. "

    Clover Susan Coolidge 1870

  • When Mrs. Livingston raises her eyebrow doubtfully, Harriet adds, My father gives me a generous clothing allowance.

    Uprising Margaret Peterson Haddix 2011

  • He looked doubtfully at the silver wrapper from his chocolate.

    AFTER MIDNIGHT • by Jenny Schwartz 2010

  • Overall unit shipments in the quarter were slightly below our forecast due to lower than expected demand for older models, said Rim co-chief executive Jim BalsillieThe next set of results are expected to be make or break for Rim's current top team, and analysts reacted doubtfully to the company's own predictions of a return to growth in the run up to Christmas.

    Profits plunge for maker of BlackBerry 2011

  • When Mrs. Livingston raises her eyebrow doubtfully, Harriet adds, My father gives me a generous clothing allowance.

    Uprising Margaret Peterson Haddix 2011

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