questionnaire

American  

[kwes-chuh-nair] / ˌkwɛs tʃəˈnɛər /

noun

1. a list of questions, usually printed, submitted for replies that can be analyzed for usable information.

   a questionnaire used in market research.

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questionnaire British  

/ ˌkɛs-, ˌkwɛstʃəˈnɛə /

noun

1. a set of questions on a form, submitted to a number of people in order to collect statistical information

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Etymology

Origin of questionnaire

1895–1900; < French, equivalent to question ( er ) to question + -aire; -ary

Explanation

A questionnaire is a form containing a set of questions. After the opening night of your new restaurant, ask your customers to fill out a questionnaire so they can help you know what still needs work. You write a questionnaire to take a snapshot of what a group of people think. They're not opportunities for deep response, but are good for collecting statistics. If you're hosting a big party, distribute a short questionnaire beforehand to find out how many people are coming, and what music they want the dj to play. If you prefer an older version of the word, say you're giving them a questionary.

Example Sentences

The questionnaire defined “tradwife” as a woman “happily married with kids, stable life, normal job.”

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

“And green is not stupid, it is my lifelong favorite color and I have a questionnaire that I filled out in third grade to prove it.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

People who can’t get to work temporarily can sometimes be classified as not having a job, depending on how they respond to the government’s employment questionnaire.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 5, 2026

You tapped your way through a brief questionnaire, mainly about your annual income, and that was that.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

All new students at Les Amis Des Vieux Maitres were requested to fill out questionnaire forms and to enclose photographs of themselves.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger

Related Words

• application
• census
• sampling
• survey