WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
skep•ti•cal or scep•ti•cal /ˈskɛptɪkəl/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- inclined to have doubt or doubts.
- showing doubt:a skeptical smile.
- denying or questioning religion or the beliefs of a religion.
skep•ti•cal
(skep′ti kəl),USA pronunciation adj.
skep′ti•cal•ly, adv.
skep′ti•cal•ness, n.
- inclined to skepticism;
having doubt:a skeptical young woman. - showing doubt:a skeptical smile.
- denying or questioning the tenets of a religion:a skeptical approach to the nature of miracles.
- Philosophy(cap.) of or pertaining to Skeptics or Skepticism.
- skeptic + -al1 1630–40
skep′ti•cal•ness, n.
- 1. skeptic. See doubtful. 3. unbelieving.
'skeptically' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):