questionable
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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, Jr., chapter 3, in The Portrait of a Lady, New York, N.Y.: Houghton, Mifflin and Company […], →OCLC, page 28:
- 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, chapter 18, in Raspberry Jam, Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, page 302:
- […] he had a love of money—a sort of acquisitiveness, that led him into questionable dealings.
- (obsolete) Inviting questions; inviting inquiry.
- c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv], page 257, column 1:
- Thou com'ſt in ſuch a queſtionable ſhape / That I will ſpeake to thee.
Derived terms
Descendants
- → German: fragwürdig (calque)
Translations
problematic; open to doubt or challenge
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of dubious respectability or morality
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