Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Language: Latin
Origin: dubius, from dubare 'to be unable to decide'

dubious

 adjective
     
du‧bi‧ous
1 probably not honest, true, right etc:
The firm was accused of dubious accounting practices.
Many critics regard this argument as dubious or, at best, misleading.
The assumption that growth in one country benefits the whole world is highly dubious.
2 [not before noun] not sure whether something is good or true [= doubtful]:
I can see you are dubious; take some time to think about it.
dubious about
Some universities are dubious about accepting students over the age of 30.
'Are you sure you know what you are doing?' Andy said, looking dubious.
3

the dubious honour/distinction/pleasure (of doing something)

a dubious honour etc is the opposite of an honour - used about something unpleasant that happens:
The Stephensons had the dubious honor of being the 100th family to lose their home in the fire.
4 not good or not of good quality:
The room was decorated in dubious taste.
—dubiously adverb
—dubiousness noun [uncountable]
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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