different between conjectural vs dubious

English

Etymology

conjecture +? -al

Adjective

conjectural (comparative more conjectural, superlative most conjectural)

1. In the nature of a conjecture, or based on a conjecture.

Synonyms

• hypothetical

Translations

Noun

conjectural (plural conjecturals)

1. Something that is conjectural; a conjecture.
   • 1821, Richard Franck, Northern memoirs (page 15)

     Let us not assume such previous conjecturals, but rather consult and expostulate death, since death is the wages and the reward of sin.

French

Adjective

conjectural (feminine singular conjecturale, masculine plural conjecturaux, feminine plural conjecturales)

1. conjectural

Further reading

• “conjectural” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Portuguese

Adjective

conjectural m or f (plural conjecturais, comparable)

1. conjectural (in the nature of a conjecture)

Romanian

Etymology

From French conjectural

Adjective

conjectural m or n (feminine singular conjectural?, masculine plural conjecturali, feminine and neuter plural conjecturale)

1. conjectural

Declension

English

Etymology

From Latin dubius; like doubt, from Latin duo (cognate to English two), implying “two alternatives” (yes or no, true or false, etc.).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?dju?bi.?s/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?du.bi.?s/
• Rhymes: -u?bi?s

Adjective

dubious (comparative more dubious, superlative most dubious)

1. (of a statement) Arousing doubt; questionable; open to suspicion.
   • 2011, Nigel Jones, "A Tale of Two Scandals", History Today, February 2011, Vol. 61 Issue 2, pages 10–17

     Evasive, womanising, boastful, malicious, untrustworthy, an inveterate gambler who combined his mediocre military career with running a high-class brothel, permanently cash strapped and viciously quarrelsome, his character is as dubious as his unsavoury appearance.
2. (of a person) In disbelief; wavering, uncertain, or hesitating in opinion; inclined to doubt; undecided.

   She was dubious about my plan at first, but later I managed to persuade her to cooperate.

   • 2010, John M. Broder, "Global Climate-Change Talks Begin in Cancun With More Modest Expectations", New York Times, November 30, Section A, Column 0, Foreign Desk, page 12

     Last year, President Obama had large majorities in Congress and hopes of passing a comprehensive climate and energy bill. Next year, he faces a new Congress much more dubious about the reality of climate change and considerably more hostile to international efforts to deal with it.

3. (chess, chiefly of an opening move) Generally considered imprecise or wrong, but not totally unplayable.

Usage notes

Largely synonymous with doubtful, when used of statements or facts, dubious is used when the statement is a cause of doubt, while doubtful is used when a fact is in doubt. For example, “the company’s earnings report was dubious” vs. “his chances for recovery are doubtful”.

Derived terms

• dubious honor / dubious honour
• dubiously
• dubiousness

Translations

See also

• doubtful
• doubt

References

See also

• (?)