DictionaryAI

query

SayKWEER-eeUS/ˈkwɪ.ɹi/UK/ˈkwɪə.ɹi/

Pluralqueries

Verbqueries, querying, queried

10 meanings of query

Practice

  1. 1
    questionnouncountable
    A question, especially one you ask to get information or to check that something is right.

    Like raising your hand in class to ask something you want to know.

    I sent the teacher a quick query about the homework.

    Her query about the bill was answered right away.

    UsageSay a query about something.

    Similarquestion, inquiry, enquiry, request

    Oppositeanswer, reply, response

    Note
  2. 2
    nouncountable
    A word or group of words you type or say into a search engine to find web pages or information.

    Type your query in the box and press Enter.

    My search queries this week were mostly about cheap flights.

    UsageSay type a query, or just a search.

    Similarsearch

    Note
  3. 3
    askverbtransitive
    To ask someone for an answer or for information about something.

    Like stopping a shop worker to ask why something costs so much.

    If you are unsure about the rules, query the organizers before you sign up.

    She queried her boss about the new schedule.

    UsageQuery is a formal way to say ask.

    Similarask, question, quiz, consult

    Oppositeanswer

  4. 4
    database requestnouncountable
    A set of instructions that asks a database for certain information.

    Like filling out a form that tells a big filing cabinet exactly which papers to bring back.

    The app sends a query to the database to find your order history.

    A slow query can make the whole page take longer to load.

    Note
  5. 5
    database requestverbtransitive
    To ask a database for information by sending it instructions.

    Like asking a librarian to find every book on one topic and bring them to you.

    The program queries the database whenever you open the app.

    You can query the system to find any customer record.

    Note
  6. 6
    verbtransitive
    To say that you are not sure something is right or true.

    Like raising your hand to say an answer on the board looks wrong.

    She queried the total on the receipt, sure it was wrong.

    He began to query the referee's decision.

    UsageSay query the total if you think it is wrong.

    Similarquestion, challenge, dispute, doubt, contest

    Oppositeaccept, confirm, endorse

    Note
  7. 7
    writer's pitchnounabbreviationellipsis
    Short for query letter: a short letter asking an agent or editor to consider a writer's book or article.

    She sent a query to three agents last week.

    His query pitching his first novel got a quick reply from the editor.

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 8
    seek an agentverbintransitive
    To send a short letter to an agent or editor to pitch your writing.

    Like mailing a short note to ask if someone wants to read more of your work.

    She queried for months before an agent said yes.

    You should query widely if you want to find a publisher.

    Similarsubmit, pitch

    Note
  2. 9
    question marknouncountable
    The punctuation mark (?) written at the end of a question.
    I refer you to your line above, where you use a query and a bang together.
    2006, Pip, “Re: Royal Enfield motorbike - why would anyone buy one?”Here, query means a question mark.
    Note
  3. 10
    verb
    On IRC, an online chat system, to send a private message to one other user.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of query apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from Latin quaere, meaning "ask" or "seek."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts