question — English Dictionary

Noun

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.

   Synonyms

   inquiryenquiryqueryinterrogation

   Examples

   May I ask a question?

   What is your question?

   More examples (1)

   I told him about everything I could think of; and what I couldn't think of he did. He asked about six questions during my yarn, but every question had a point to it. At the end he bowed and thanked me once more. As a thanker he was main-truck high; I never see anybody so polite.

   Can I ask you two a question? / Please, Christ, yes. / How can you two live like this? / How can... / Don't google the question, Moss!

   More examples (1)

   When bodies change quickly or noticeably, assumptions often follow—and so does the desire to ask one potentially fraught question: Did medication play a role?

2. A subject or topic for consideration or investigation.

   Synonyms

   subjecttopicproblemconsiderationproposition

   Examples

   We discussed the question of cost.

   The question of seniority will be discussed at the meeting.

   There was a question of which material to use.

   More examples (2)

   I've ordered it all, but there’s still the question of who’s going to pay.

   The question of the plausibility of the counter-factual is seen as key in all three discussions of allohistorical fiction (as it is in Demandt's and Ferguson's examinations of allohistory) (cf. Rodiek 25–26; Ritter 15–16; Helbig 32).

3. A doubt or challenge about the truth, accuracy, or validity of a matter.

   Synonyms

   issuedoubt

   Examples

   There is no question about her honesty.

   His claim to the property has come under question.

   The story is true beyond question.

   More examples (5)

   He obeyed without question.

   There was no question of his blaming me for his frustration.

   There arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

   It is to be to question, whether it be lawful for Christian princes or states to make an invasive war, only and simply for the propagation of the faith.

   The pandemic has not only caused an immediate fall in ticket revenues for the world’s public transit networks—rail ridership in Barcelona, Moscow, Beijing and New York City at times plummeting 80%—in some cities it also has thrown into question the future of mass urban transportation.

4. A proposal to a meeting as a topic for deliberation.

   Synonyms

   proposal

   Examples

   I move that the question be put to a vote.

5. Interrogation by torture.

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • Historical
   • with-definite-article

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   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 […]

   The Scottish privy council had power to put state prisoners to the question.

6. Talk; conversation; speech.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   Made she no verbal question?

Verb

1. To ask questions of; to interrogate; to ask for information.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   query

   Examples

   Yet he lingered in Perryville with the determination of seeing Ruth, and questioning her about Helen Murray's letters.

   More examples (2)

   However, a Carlisle newspaper got hold of the story, and at the half-yearly meeting of the Caledonian Railway Company, held on March 17, 1863, a shareholder, Mr. Meiklem, questioned the Chairman, Lt.-Col. Salkeld, regarding a "Chase of Engines," described in the newspaper article. The Chairman admitted that the statements made in the article were perfectly true.

   Another former resident noticed the car because it was new and upscale and no one ever came back to question him. This points to serious flaws in the investigation from the beginning.

2. To raise doubts about; have doubts about.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   querycontest

   Examples

   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.

   He questioned South Korean claims that China is a major source of its pollution.

   More examples (1)

   Isaacson reports that Musk’s fractured relationship with Jenna, who is trans, partly led to Musk’s rightward turn toward libertarianism and questioning what he considers the “woke-mind-virus, which is fundamentally antiscience, antimerit, and antihuman.”

3. To ask a question or questions; inquire or seek to know; examine.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   He that questioneth much shall learn much.

4. To argue; to converse; to dispute.

   Usage

   • Intransitive
   • Obsolete

   Examples

   I pray you, think you question with the Jew.

Noun

1. an instance of questioning

   Synonyms

   inquiryenquiryqueryinterrogation

   Antonyms

   answer

   Broader terms

   questioninginquiring

   Examples

   there was a question about my training

   we made inquiries of all those who were present

2. the subject matter at issue

   Synonyms

   head

   Broader terms

   subjecttopictheme

   Examples

   the question of disease merits serious discussion

   under the head of minor Roman poets

3. a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply

   Synonyms

   interrogationinterrogativeinterrogative sentence

   Broader terms

   sentence

   Examples

   he asked a direct question

   he had trouble phrasing his interrogations

4. uncertainty about the truth or factuality or existence of something

   Synonyms

   doubtdubiousnessdoubtfulness

   Broader terms

   uncertaintyuncertainnessprecariousness

   Examples

   the dubiousness of his claim

   there is no question about the validity of the enterprise

5. a formal proposal for action made to a deliberative assembly for discussion and vote

   Synonyms

   motion

   Broader terms

   proposal

   Examples

   he made a motion to adjourn

   she called for the question

6. an informal reference to a marriage proposal

   Broader terms

   marriage proposalproposal of marriagemarriage offerproposal

   Examples

   he was ready to pop the question

Verb

1. challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

   Synonyms

   oppugncall into question

   Broader terms

   challenge

   Examples

   We must question your judgment in this matter

2. pose a series of questions to

   Synonyms

   interrogate

   Broader terms

   askinquireenquire

   Examples

   The suspect was questioned by the police

   We questioned the survivor about the details of the explosion

3. pose a question

   Synonyms

   query

   Broader terms

   askinquireenquire

4. conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting

   Synonyms

   interview

   Broader terms

   conversediscourse

5. place in doubt or express doubtful speculation

   Synonyms

   wonder

   Broader terms

   chew overthink overmeditateponderexcogitatecontemplatemusereflectmullmull overruminatespeculate

   Examples

   I wonder whether this was the right thing to do

   she wondered whether it would snow tonight