interrogative

[ in-tuh-rog-uh-tiv ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or conveying a question.
2. Grammar. forming, constituting, or used in or to form a question:

   an interrogative pronoun, suffix, particle, or sentence.

noun

1. Grammar. an interrogative word, element, or construction, as who? and what?

interrogative

/ ˌɪntəˈrɒɡətɪv /

adjective

1. asking or having the nature of a question
2. denoting a form or construction used in asking a question
3. denoting or belonging to a class of words, such as which and whom, that are determiners, adjectives, or pronouns and serve to question which individual referent or referents are intended Compare demonstrative relative

noun

1. an interrogative word, phrase, sentence, or construction
2. a question mark

Derived Forms

• ˌinterˈrogatively, adverb

Other Words From

• inter·roga·tive·ly adverb
• unin·ter·roga·tive adjective
• unin·ter·roga·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of interrogative¹

From the Late Latin word interrogātīvus, dating back to 1510–20. See interrogate, -ive

Example Sentences

“I think of my writing as interrogative,” Paul Harding said.

From New York Times

Variety wrote: The film “feels like a miracle and an interrogative act of defiance.”

From New York Times

The interrogative form does all the work of asking aloud — with none of the actual asking — why mom still thinks you can speak for a four-years-ago ex.

From Washington Post

She may have physical setbacks, but Gibert's mind is knife-sharp — she regularly finishes answers with an interrogative "eh?" as if checking to make sure I got everything.

From Salon

Had Cooper approached this question with the same interrogative spirit with which she approached her own narrative assumptions, the book would have felt more complete.

From Washington Post