query
Americannoun
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queries
plural
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a question; an inquiry.
-
mental reservation; doubt.
-
Printing. a question mark (?), especially as added on a manuscript, proof sheet, or the like, indicating doubt as to some point in the text.
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an inquiry from a writer to an editor of a magazine, newspaper, etc., regarding the acceptability of or interest in an idea for an article, news story, or the like: usually presented in the form of a letter that outlines or describes the projected piece.
verb (used with object)
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queries,
present (3rd person singular)
-
queried,
past participle, past
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querying
present participle
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to ask or inquire about.
No one queried his presence.
-
to question as doubtful or obscure.
to query a statement.
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Printing. to mark (a manuscript, proof sheet, etc.) with a query.
-
to ask questions of.
noun
-
a question, esp one expressing doubt, uncertainty, or an objection
-
a less common name for question mark
verb
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to express uncertainty, doubt, or an objection concerning (something)
-
to express as a query
"What's up now?" she queried
-
to put a question to (a person); ask
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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querysimple
-
queriessimple
-
have queriedperfect
-
has queriedperfect
-
am queryingprogressive
-
are queryingprogressive
-
is queryingprogressive
-
have been queryingperfect progressive
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has been queryingperfect progressive
Past
-
queriedsimple
-
had queriedperfect
-
was queryingprogressive
-
were queryingprogressive
-
had been queryingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of query
First recorded in 1625–35; alteration (with the influence of -y 3 ) of earlier quere, from Latin quaere quaere
Explanation
A query is a question, or the search for a piece of information. The Latin root quaere means "to ask" and it's the basis of the words inquiry, question, quest, request, and query. Query often fits the bill when referring to Internet searches, polite professional discourse, and subtle pleas. You could query as to the whereabouts of the lavatory, but you'd sound a bit prim and be better off asking "Where's the toilet?" If your job entails dealing with annoying questions and complaints, you could make it sound better by proclaiming, "I respond to customer queries."
Vocabulary lists containing query
For Grilled Cheese Day, Vocab with a Twist
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Instead of "Said": Words for Asking and Offering
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Where the Red Fern Grows
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst, said asking specific questions can be more helpful than simply inputting a general query when using AI tools.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026
It’s the last query that re-emerges in “The Dog Stars,” although Scott says the postapocalyptic setting initially discouraged him.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a query for comment.
From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026
In response to a query from Murthy, Fauci wrote that there was “no data or theoretical reason” to prefer vaccinating early over later in pregnancy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
If Rahel tried to say something, Ammu would interrupt with a new thought or query.
From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
A county judge has even complained that Paxton’s office is not responding in a timely manner to queries about how the state wishes to proceed in court, now that multiple hemp businesses have filed lawsuits.
From Slate ● Sep. 2, 2026
Google made Personal Intelligence accessible to all users in the U.S. in March for Gemini chatbot queries.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
The US Trade Representative's office did not respond to queries on the matter.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
And those are queries that must be addressed because, whether we like it or not, even dystopian rom-coms might point us in the right — or even new — direction.
From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026
I have never been that sort of butler who allows all sorts of people to wander in and out with their queries and grumbles.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
Monday’s research queried people about their jobs, how often they use AI and how they use it.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026
Some have queried if it would be merited.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
We queried experts across sports medicine, personal training and physical therapy to devise easy routines comprising simple exercises you can do at home to test and train your balance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
When queried by AFP about the Washington Post report, the White House sent a statement defending the new plane's safety.
From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026
“Save you from five hundred silver?” queried Calixte.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
After his side's opening 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia in Miami on Monday, he was unimpressed with journalists querying his stance, amid suggestions it might be some kind of protest.
From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2026
Bank regulators, too, have stepped up their focus on the risks posed by the industry, with the Federal Reserve querying banks about their lending and exposure to private credit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 23, 2026
An October 2025 report from the Justice Department Inspector General found that the FBI has “implemented all of RISAA’s querying reforms” and that the number of noncompliant queries had been “reduced substantially.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026
Local folks had gathered around a loading dock to watch reporters sitting in swings and rockers while querying the future president.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 31, 2024
With a querying look on his face, he said, “I’m afraid I don’t understand. I thought you always wanted to go to town.”
From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
