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no doubt

no doubt

515 1.8
Shows that something is almost certainly true, often before saying something different
  • idiom
translation icon : sin duda
  • There's no doubt in my mind.
  • leave no doubt
  • no doubt, however
  • no doubt true

To them, it would no doubt bear some other name.

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Examples

  • There's no doubt about that.

  • Certainly there was no doubt in her mind that it could be achieved.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Let us leave no doubt about that.

  • If the girl comes back, no doubt she will look here for her family first.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • I have no doubt our Father looks down upon you in shame.

  • Of course, social polarization did take place and was no doubt inevitable in some measure.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Some of this richness is due, no doubt, to Fleming's skill as an author.

    Academic text (1990)
  • There is no doubt in my mind Bernie Tiede is a calculating evil actor.

  • Much scholarly ink will no doubt be spilled analyzing Smith, for better or for worse.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Some will no doubt say that the spending reductions are too big.

Synonyms

certainly
vsno doubt
1.0

Showing that something is true or will happen without any doubt

tends to admit a fact before introducing a contrasting idea
sure
vsno doubt
  • Informal
1.0

To say certainly or definitely

serves a concessive role more than a simple informal affirmation
surely
vsno doubt
1.0

Without any doubt

is more likely to introduce a concession before a contrast
to be sure
vsno doubt
104 4.9

Admitting something is true before you say something else

is used the same way to concede then introduce a contrast
for certain
vsno doubt
104 1.3

To be completely sure and have no doubt

is used to concede a point while preparing a contrast
you bet
vsno doubt
  • Informal
29 7.0

In a way that shows strong agreement or certainty

is more neutral and often used to concede before contrasting
without doubt
vsno doubt
7 2.3

Says that something is certainly true

often serves to concede a point before offering a contrast
beyond a doubt
vsno doubt
7 3.0

Completely sure with no chance of being wrong

is less absolute and often precedes a contrasting opinion
sure as shit
vsno doubt
  • Offensive
5 9.9

You can be certain it is true

is typically chosen to admit a point before giving a contrast
beyond doubt
vsno doubt
4 2.8

Completely certain with no possible reason to think it is wrong

is used more to admit a point before disagreeing or adding nuance
no bones about it
vsno doubt
  • Informal
3 8.3

To show that something is certain or clear

is more for admitting truth before giving a different view
doubtlessly
vsno doubt
3 4.6

In a way that shows there is no doubt

is often used to concede before adding a different opinion
sure as shooting
vsno doubt
  • Informal
1 8.2

Completely certain that something will happen

is used more to concede a point rather than to dramatize certainty
sure as sugar
vsno doubt
  • Informal
1 8.8

Certain to happen without any doubt

leans toward conceding a fact before adding a different view

Antonyms

1.6

A feeling of not being sure about something

296 4.0

Not being sure about what will happen or what to do

How Certain

no doubt
515 1.8
probably
1.0
maybe
1.0

Surface Forms

no doubt positive

Morphology

no + doubt

The phrase 'no doubt' transparently negates 'doubt' (no + doubt) yielding 'without doubt' = 'certainly' or 'very likely'. This is a straightforward compositional negation pattern with cross-linguistic equivalents, so a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

No doubt comes from the simple idea of having no doubt, like taking away a shadow of uncertainty so you feel sure about something. So people use no doubt to mean 'certainly' or to 'admit a point' before saying something different.