query

[kweer-ee]

noun

plural

queries 

1. a question; an inquiry.

2. mental reservation; doubt.

3. Printing.,  a question mark (?), especially as added on a manuscript, proof sheet, or the like, indicating doubt as to some point in the text.

4. 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)

queried, querying 

1. to ask or inquire about.

   No one queried his presence.

2. to question as doubtful or obscure.

   to query a statement.

3. Printing.,  to mark (a manuscript, proof sheet, etc.) with a query.

4. to ask questions of.

query

/ ˈkwɪərɪ /

noun

1. a question, esp one expressing doubt, uncertainty, or an objection

2. a less common name for question mark

verb

1. to express uncertainty, doubt, or an objection concerning (something)

2. to express as a query

   "What's up now?" she queried

3. to put a question to (a person); ask

Other Word Forms

• queryingly adverb
• outquery verb (used with object)
• unqueried adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of query¹

First recorded in 1625–35; alteration (with the influence of -y ³ ) of earlier quere, from Latin quaere quaere

Word History and Origins

Origin of query¹

C17: from earlier quere, from Latin quaere ask!, from quaerere to seek, inquire

Example Sentences

Every malicious query becomes training data for China’s systems.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The text-generating AI known as large language models can draft briefs, summarize medical notes and answer queries.

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During its annual developers conference in May, Google unveiled a suite of sophisticated AI products and a revamped version of its classic search engine featuring AI Mode, which answers search queries in a chatbot-style conversation.

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Musk responded to the incident, blaming users for crafting queries to get comical responses from Grok.

Read more on Salon

Usually it plays out as a cute moment, the assembled gaggle cooing awwww at the exchange as the queried party answers far more effusively than they do for their daily adult nemeses.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• inquiry 
• objection 
• question 
• questioning 
• reservation 
• skepticism