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question

KWES-chuhn/ˈkwɛs.tʃən/

Pluralquestions

Verbquestions, questioning, questioned

8 meanings of question

Practice

  1. 1
    something askednouncountable
    A sentence or set of words that asks for information or an answer.

    Like knocking on a door to find out if someone will answer.

    The teacher asked a question about the homework.

    Do you have any questions for me before we start?

    UsageAsk a question, and someone answers it.

    Similarquery, inquiry, enquiry

    Oppositeanswer, reply, response

  2. 2
    issuenouncountable
    A subject or problem that people need to talk about or decide.

    The town council will discuss the question of parking next week.

    We discussed the housing question at the meeting.

    UsageOut of the question means it cannot happen.

    Similarissue, matter, subject, topic, problem

  3. 3
    cast doubt onverbtransitive
    To have or show doubts about whether something is true, right, or correct.

    Many people question the new rules.

    She began to question his honesty.

    UsageYou can say question whether: 'I question whether this will work.'

    Similardoubt, challenge, dispute, query, contest

    Oppositeaccept, believe, trust

    Note
  4. 4
    verbtransitive
    To ask someone questions to find out information, as the police do.

    Police wanted to question the driver about the crash.

    The teacher questioned each student about the project.

    UsageSay police questioned him about the crash.

    Similarinterrogate, interview, quiz, examine

    Note
  5. 5
    nouncountable or uncountable
    A doubt about whether something is true or correct.

    Like a small crack that makes you wonder if a wall is really safe.

    There is no question about her honesty.

    There is no question that she is the best player on the team.

    UsageThere is no question means it is certain.

    Similardoubt, uncertainty, query, dispute

    Oppositecertainty

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 6
    torturenounarchaichistoricalwith the
    In past times, the use of pain or torture to make someone answer.

    The prisoner was put to the question until he finally confessed.

    The Scottish privy council had power to put state prisoners to the question.
    1849, Thomas Babington Macaulay, The History of England from the Accession of James the SecondHere, the question means questioning with torture.
    Note
  2. 7
    nounobsolete
    Talk or conversation between people.
    Made she no verbal question?
    c. 1603, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”Here, question means talk, so it asks if she said anything in words.
    Note
  3. 8
    verbobsoleteintransitive
    To talk with or argue with someone.
    I pray you, think you question with the Jew.
    c. 1596, William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”Here, question means argue or reason with someone.
    Note

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1–2, 5–7

This word came through Old French from Latin quaestiō, meaning "a seeking or inquiry," from quaerere "to seek or ask." The deeper origin is uncertain.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 5 facts

Meanings 3–4, 8

This verb goes back to Middle English, where it grew partly out of the noun "question" and partly out of the Middle French verb questionner.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts