query

[ kweer-ee ]

noun

, plural que·ries.

1. a question; an inquiry.
2. mental reservation; doubt.
3. Printing. a question mark (?), especially as added on a manuscript, proof sheet, or the like, indicating doubt as to some point in the text.
4. an inquiry from a writer to an editor of a magazine, newspaper, etc., regarding the acceptability of or interest in an idea for an article, news story, or the like: usually presented in the form of a letter that outlines or describes the projected piece.

verb (used with object)

, que·ried, que·ry·ing.

1. to ask or inquire about:

   No one queried his presence.

2. to question as doubtful or obscure:

   to query a statement.

3. Printing. to mark (a manuscript, proof sheet, etc.) with a query.
4. to ask questions of.

query

/ ˈkwɪərɪ /

noun

1. a question, esp one expressing doubt, uncertainty, or an objection
2. a less common name for question mark

verb

1. to express uncertainty, doubt, or an objection concerning (something)
2. to express as a query

   "What's up now?" she queried

3. to put a question to (a person); ask

Other Words From

• query·ing·ly adverb
• outquery verb (used with object) outqueried outquerying
• un·queried adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of query¹

First recorded in 1625–35; alteration (with the influence of -y ³ ) of earlier quere, from Latin quaere quaere

Word History and Origins

Origin of query¹

C17: from earlier quere, from Latin quaere ask!, from quaerere to seek, inquire

Example Sentences

An MP said there were "huge flaws" in the government's original impact assessment for the scheme, while another queried why compensation was not capped.

From BBC

Back in August, this space presented the query that was foremost in the mind of the increasingly uneasy Trojans family.

From Los Angeles Times

HuntingCrossbows replied to our query about the legality of the weapon it sold us and other knives for sale on its website by saying "these are cosplay or display knives for decoration use only".

From BBC

Raw Story couldn’t show that because it couldn’t produce evidence that any of its content had been copied in answers to user queries and therefore that it had suffered “concrete harm.”

From Los Angeles Times

However, when the risk assessment was submitted by developers in summer this year, its accuracy was queried by Sport England.

From BBC

Related Words

• inquiry
• objection
• question
• questioning
• reservation
• skepticism