Interrogative
adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
- 1 A word (pronoun, pronominal adjective, or adverb) implying interrogation, or used for asking a question: why, who, when, etc.
"When question words are used, it is not necessary to add the ke particle, as it is already embedded in the interrogative"
- 2 a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply wordnet
- 3 Synonym of question mark ⟨?⟩. archaic
"There be five manner of points and divisions most used among cunning men; the which if they be well used, make the sentence very light and easy to be understood, both to the reader and hearer: and they be these, virgil,—come,—parenthesis,—plain point,—interrogative."
- 4 some linguists consider interrogative sentences to constitute a mood wordnet
- 5 A question; an interrogation. rare
""Who are you, sir, and what is your business?" demanded the Marquis... "That is a fair interrogative, my lord," answered Dalgetty."
- 1 Asking or denoting a question.
"an interrogative phrase"
- 2 Pertaining to inquiry; questioning
"He took on an interrogative tone of voice."
- 1 relating to the use of or having the nature of an interrogation wordnet
- 2 relating to verbs in the so-called interrogative mood wordnet
Antonyms
All antonymsExample
More examples"Use interrogative pronouns to rewrite the sentences below; if you need to, you can add or remove a few words."
Etymology
From Late Latin interrogātīvus, equivalent to interrogate + -ive.
Related phrases
More for "interrogative"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.