question Hear it!

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question definition

ques·tion (kwes′c̸hən, -tyən)

noun

  1. an asking; inquiry
  2. something that is asked; interrogative sentence, as in seeking to learn or in testing another's knowledge; query
  3. doubt; uncertainty no question of his veracity
  4. something in controversy before a court
  5. a problem; matter open to discussion or inquiry
  6. a matter or case of difficulty not a question of money
    1. a point being debated or a resolution brought up for approval or rejection before an assembly
    2. the procedure of putting such a matter to a vote

Etymology: ME < Anglo-Fr questiun < OFr question < L quaestio < pp. of quaerere, to ask, inquire

transitive verb

  1. to ask a question or questions of; interrogate; put queries to
  2. to express uncertainty about; doubt
  3. to dispute; challenge

Etymology: LME questyonen < MFr questionner < the n.

intransitive verb

to ask a question or questions

Related Forms:

question Idioms

beside the question

not related to the subject under discussion

beyond (all) question

beyond dispute; without any doubt

in question

being considered, debated, etc.

out of the question

impossible; not to be considered

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms question idiom

question Synonyms

question

n.

  1. A query

    inquiry, inquiring, interrogatory, interrogative, interrogation, inquisition, feeler, catechism, inquest, rhetorical question, burning question, crucial question, leading question, catch question, academic question, vexed question, sixty-four dollar question*.

    Antonyms answer*, solution*, reply. *

  2. A puzzle

    enigma, mystery, problem; see puzzle 2.

  3. A subject

    proposal, topic, issue; see issue 1, subject 1.

beside the question

not germane, beside the point, immaterial; see irrelevant.

beyond question

beyond dispute, without any doubt, undoubtedly; see surely, unquestionably.

in question

being considered, under discussion, under consideration, under advisement, at issue, controversial, in dispute, up for discussion, on the floor, on the agenda; see also controversial, questionable 1, uncertain 2.

out of the question

not to be considered, by no means, unthinkable; see impossible 1.


question

v.

  1. To ask

    inquire, interrogate, examine, query, quest, seek, search, sound out, petition, solicit, ask about, catechize, show curiosity, pry into, ask a leading question, challenge, raise a question, pick one's brains, make inquiry, quiz, cross-examine, probe, investigate, interview, debrief, put to the question, bring into question, grill*, pump*, give the third degree*; see also ask 1.

  2. To doubt

    distrust, suspect, dispute; see doubt 1, 2. See syn. study at ask.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

question Usage Examples

Object

  • wisdom: And I also agree with the person who questions the wisdom of signing Lennon as a replacement.

Converse of object

  • ask: He asked the question along the lines of " I charge a company £ 1000 for a training course.

Adjective modifier

  • fundamental: The fundamental question is " Are our hearts right with God?

Modifies a noun

  • mark: Any piece of information which is followed by a double question mark in parenthesis ( ?

Noun used with modifier

  • answering: Answering Questions Unfortunately, your presentation does not end once you have finished what you have to say.

Used with why or when

  • why: We must question why the arrests have been accompanied by such drama which once again stirs up fear.
question usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

question quotes

The Answer to the Great Question Of†Life, the Universe and Everything†Is†Forty-two.

-Adams, Douglas Noe«  l

Others abide our question. Thou art free. We ask and ask:Thou smilest and art still, Out-topping knowledge.

-Arnold, Matthew

To ask the hard question is simple.

-Auden,W(ystan) H(ugh)

question quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"question." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 3 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/question>

APA Style

question. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 3rd, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/question

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