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View synonyms for question

question

[kwes-chuhn]

noun

  1. a sentence in an interrogative form, addressed to someone in order to get information in reply.

    Antonyms: reply, answer
  2. a problem for discussion or under discussion; a matter for investigation.

  3. a matter of some uncertainty or difficulty; problem (usually followed byof ).

    It was simply a question of time.

  4. a subject of dispute or controversy.

  5. a proposal to be debated or voted on, as in a meeting or a deliberative assembly.

  6. the procedure of putting a proposal to vote.

  7. Politics.,  a problem of public policy submitted to the voters for an expression of opinion.

  8. Law.

    1. a controversy that is submitted to a judicial tribunal or administrative agency for decision.

    2. the interrogation by which information is secured.

    3. Obsolete.,  judicial examination or trial.

  9. the act of asking or inquiring; interrogation; query.

  10. inquiry into or discussion of some problem or doubtful matter.



verb (used with object)

  1. to ask (someone) a question; ask questions of; interrogate.

    Synonyms: examine, query
    Antonyms: reply, answer
  2. to ask or inquire.

  3. to make a question of; doubt.

    He questioned her sincerity.

  4. to challenge or dispute.

    She questioned the judge's authority in the case.

verb (used without object)

  1. to ask a question or questions.

question

/ ˈkwɛstʃən /

noun

  1. a form of words addressed to a person in order to elicit information or evoke a response; interrogative sentence

  2. a point at issue

    it's only a question of time until she dies

    the question is how long they can keep up the pressure

  3. a difficulty or uncertainty; doubtful point

    a question of money

    there's no question about it

    1. an act of asking

    2. an investigation into some problem or difficulty

  4. a motion presented for debate by a deliberative body

  5. to require members of a deliberative assembly to vote on a motion presented

  6. law a matter submitted to a court or other tribunal for judicial or quasi-judicial decision

  7. (in English law) that part of the issue before a court that is decided by the jury

  8. (in English law) that part of the issue before a court that is decided by the judge

    1. to avoid giving a direct answer by posing another question

    2. to assume the truth of that which is intended to be proved See petitio principii

  9. beyond (any) dispute or doubt

    1. to make (something) the subject of disagreement

    2. to cast doubt upon the validity, truth, etc, of (something)

  10. under discussion

    this is the man in question

  11. beyond consideration; unthinkable or impossible

    the marriage is out of the question

  12. informal,  to propose marriage

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to put a question or questions to (a person); interrogate

  2. to make (something) the subject of dispute or disagreement

  3. to express uncertainty about the validity, truth, etc, of (something); doubt

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage

The question whether should be used rather than the question of whether or the question as to whether: this leaves open the question whether he acted correctly
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Other Word Forms

  • questioner noun
  • counterquestion noun
  • outquestion verb (used with object)
  • prequestion verb (used with object)
  • requestion verb (used with object)
  • subquestion noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of question1

First recorded in 1250–1300; (noun) Middle English questio(u)n, questiun, from Anglo-French questiun, Middle French question, from Latin quaestiōn- (stem of quaestiō ), equivalent to quaes-, stem of quaerere “to ask” + -tiōn- -tion; (verb) late Middle English, from Middle French questioner, derivative of the noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of question1

C13: via Old French from Latin quaestiō, from quaerere to seek
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. in question,

    1. under consideration.

    2. in dispute.

  2. call in / into question,

    1. to dispute; challenge.

    2. to cast doubt upon; question.

      This report calls into question all previous research on the subject.

  3. out of the question, not to be considered; unthinkable; impossible.

    She thought about a trip to Spain but dismissed it as out of the question.

  4. beg the question. beg.

  5. beyond question, beyond dispute; without doubt: Also beyond all question

    It was, beyond question, a magnificent performance.

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Synonym Study

See inquire.
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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.

As to the question of whether Milei has succeeded, the answer largely depends how you define success - and who it is for.

Read more on BBC

In his closing submissions to the judge on Tuesday, Mr Lennon's barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, said: "The question for you. Is this a lawful stop? If it is not, you cannot convict Mr Lennon."

Read more on BBC

How long the profitability will last and if it will be as elevated as expected are separate questions, he said.

Read more on MarketWatch

An inquest jury at South London Coroners' court concluded that her death was accidental, but her family says they still have questions about what led to her death.

Read more on BBC

In December 2024, Austrian authorities questioned Benko in Innsbruck after Italy issued an arrest warrant against him for allegedly participating in a criminal organisation.

Read more on Barron's

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When To Use

Spelling tips for question

The word question is hard to spell because it sounds like it might begin with a kw, rather than a qu, as in kwestionHow to spell question: When you ask a question you are on a quest for information. This can help you remember that question begins with qu- rather than kw-. You simply add quest to the common suffix -ion and you have the correct spelling of question.

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.

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