verb

douter

doubt

C’est ne pas être sûr de quelque chose ou de quelqu’un.

Definition & meaning

The verb douter primarily means to doubt or to be uncertain about the truth, reality, or reliability of something. It expresses a lack of conviction or a state of hesitation regarding a fact or a person's word.

There is a significant difference in meaning when the verb is used in its reflexive form:

Douter de: To have doubts about something or someone. For example, "douter de la vérité" (to doubt the truth).
Se douter : This reflexive form actually means the opposite of doubting; it means to suspect, to surmise, or to imagine that something is the case. For example, "je m'en doutais" means "I suspected as much" or "I thought so."

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar Douter is a regular verb of the first group (ending in -er).

When used in the negative or interrogative form (e.g., "Je ne doute pas que..."), it is often followed by the subjunctive mood in formal French, though the indicative is also common in modern usage.
It is generally followed by the preposition de when referring to the object of doubt.

Word Origin The word comes from the Old French doter, which traces back to the Latin verb dubitare. Dubitare is derived from dubius (uncertain/doubtful), which itself stems from the root duo (two). Etymologically, it signifies being in two minds or wavering between two possibilities.