Question
noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Definitions
- 1 A worded or expressed sentence, phrase, or only a word on its own, which asks for information, a reply, or a response; an interrogative.
"What is your question?"
- 2 uncertainty about the truth or factuality or existence of something wordnet
- 3 A subject or topic for consideration or investigation.
"The question of seniority will be discussed at the meeting."
- 4 the subject matter at issue wordnet
- 5 A doubt or challenge about the truth, accuracy, or validity of a matter.
"His claim to the property has come under question."
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 an informal reference to a marriage proposal wordnet
- 7 A proposal to a meeting as a topic for deliberation.
"I move that the question be put to a vote."
- 8 a formal proposal for action made to a deliberative assembly for discussion and vote wordnet
- 9 Interrogation by torture. archaic, historical, with-definite-article
"I, not at all ambitious of the crown of martyrdom, resolved to temporize: so that, when I was brought to the question the second time, I made a solemn recantation […]"
- 10 an instance of questioning wordnet
- 11 Talk; conversation; speech. obsolete
"Made she no verbal question?"
- 12 a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply wordnet
- 1 To ask questions of; to interrogate; to ask for information. transitive
"Yet he lingered in Perryville with the determination of seeing Ruth, and questioning her about Helen Murray's letters."
- 2 pose a question wordnet
- 3 To raise doubts about; have doubts about. transitive
"Question things. I have the most fun when I'm writing questioning things that people do not question- the assumptions that everybody knows are true."
- 4 pose a series of questions to wordnet
- 5 To ask a question or questions; inquire or seek to know; examine. intransitive
"He that questioneth much shall learn much."
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- 6 conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting wordnet
- 7 To argue; to converse; to dispute. intransitive, obsolete
"I pray you, think you question with the Jew."
- 8 challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of wordnet
- 9 place in doubt or express doubtful speculation wordnet
Example
More examples"I need to ask you a silly question."
Etymology
From Middle English questioun, from Anglo-Norman questiun, from Old French question, from Latin quaestiōnem, accusative of quaestiō (“a seeking, investigation, inquiry, question”), from quaerere (“to seek, ask, inquire”), of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Italic *kʷaizeō, from Proto-Indo-European *kʷeh₂- (“to acquire”). Partially displaced native Old English āscung. Compare also Middle Low German quēstie (“questioning; inquiry”), Middle High German questje (“question”). Cognates include English quest.
From Middle English questionen, questyonen, partly from Middle French questionner and partly from the noun.