questionable
English
Alternative forms
- quæstionable (archaic)
Etymology
Pronunciation
Adjective
questionable (comparative more questionable, superlative most questionable)
- Problematic; open to doubt or challenge.
- It is questionable if the universe is open or closed.
- 1881, Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady, London: Macmillan, Volume I, Chapter 3, p. 28,[1]
- A crude, cold rain was falling heavily; the spring-time presented itself as a questionable improvement.
- Of dubious respectability or morality.
- Tiffiny’s behavior is highly questionable.
- 1920, Carolyn Wells, Raspberry Jam, Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, Chapter 18, p. 302,[2]
- […] he had a love of money—a sort of acquisitiveness, that led him into questionable dealings.
- (obsolete) Inviting questions; inviting inquiry.
- c. 1600 William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act I, Scene 4,[3]
- Thou com’st in such a questionable shape
- That I will speak to thee.
- c. 1600 William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act I, Scene 4,[3]
Derived terms
Translations
problematic; open to doubt or challenge
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of dubious respectability or morality
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