QUESTION

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does question mean? 

• QUESTION (noun)
  The noun QUESTION has 6 senses:

1. an instance of questioning

2. the subject matter at issue

3. a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply

4. uncertainty about the truth or factuality or existence of something

5. a formal proposal for action made to a deliberative assembly for discussion and vote

6. an informal reference to a marriage proposal

  Familiarity information: QUESTION used as a noun is common.

• QUESTION (verb)
  The verb QUESTION has 5 senses:

1. challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

2. pose a series of questions to

3. pose a question

4. conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting

5. place in doubt or express doubtful speculation

  Familiarity information: QUESTION used as a verb is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• QUESTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An instance of questioning

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

enquiry; inquiry; interrogation; query; question

Context example:

we made inquiries of all those who were present

Hypernyms ("question" is a kind of...):

inquiring; questioning (a request for information)

Antonym:

answer (the speech act of replying to a question)

Derivation:

question (pose a question)

question (pose a series of questions to)

question (conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The subject matter at issue

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

head; question

Context example:

under the head of minor Roman poets

Hypernyms ("question" is a kind of...):

subject; theme; topic (the subject matter of a conversation or discussion)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "question"):

problem (a question raised for consideration or solution)

matter of fact; question of fact (a disputed factual contention that is generally left for a jury to decide)

matter of law; question of law (a disputed legal contention that is generally left for a judge to decide)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

interrogation; interrogative; interrogative sentence; question

Context example:

he had trouble phrasing his interrogations

Hypernyms ("question" is a kind of...):

sentence (a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "question"):

cross-question (a question asked in cross-examination)

leading question (a question phrased in such a way as to suggest the desired answer; a lawyer may ask leading questions on cross-examination)

yes-no question (a question that can be answered by yes or no)

Derivation:

question (pose a question)

question (pose a series of questions to)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Uncertainty about the truth or factuality or existence of something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

doubt; doubtfulness; dubiousness; question

Context example:

there is no question about the validity of the enterprise

Hypernyms ("question" is a kind of...):

precariousness; uncertainness; uncertainty (being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance)

Derivation:

question (place in doubt or express doubtful speculation)

question (challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A formal proposal for action made to a deliberative assembly for discussion and vote

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

motion; question

Context example:

she called for the question

Hypernyms ("question" is a kind of...):

proposal (something proposed (such as a plan or assumption))

Sense 6

Meaning:

An informal reference to a marriage proposal

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

he was ready to pop the question

Hypernyms ("question" is a kind of...):

marriage offer; marriage proposal; proposal; proposal of marriage (an offer of marriage)

• QUESTION (verb)

Conjugation:

Sense 1

Meaning:

Challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

call into question; oppugn; question

Context example:

We must question your judgment in this matter

Hypernyms (to "question" is one way to...):

challenge (issue a challenge to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Derivation:

question (uncertainty about the truth or factuality or existence of something)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Pose a series of questions to

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

interrogate; question

Context example:

We questioned the survivor about the details of the explosion

Hypernyms (to "question" is one way to...):

ask; enquire; inquire (address a question to and expect an answer from)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

question (an instance of questioning)

question (a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply)

questioning (a request for information)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Pose a question

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

query; question

Hypernyms (to "question" is one way to...):

ask; enquire; inquire (address a question to and expect an answer from)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "question"):

enquire; inquire; wonder (have a wish or desire to know something)

interpellate (question formally about policy or government business)

examine (question closely)

pump (question persistently)

check out; feel out; sound out (try to learn someone's opinions and intentions)

debrief (put someone through a debriefing and make him report)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s whether INFINITIVE

Derivation:

question (a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply)

questioning (a request for information)

questioner (someone who asks a question)

question (an instance of questioning)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

interview; question

Hypernyms (to "question" is one way to...):

converse; discourse (carry on a conversation)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

Sam cannot question Sue

Derivation:

question (an instance of questioning)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Place in doubt or express doubtful speculation

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

question; wonder

Context example:

she wondered whether it would snow tonight

Hypernyms (to "question" is one way to...):

chew over; contemplate; excogitate; meditate; mull; mull over; muse; ponder; reflect; ruminate; speculate; think over (reflect deeply on a subject)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "question"):

scruple (have doubts about)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s whether INFINITIVE

Sentence example:

They question whether there was a traffic accident

Derivation:

question (uncertainty about the truth or factuality or existence of something)

 Context examples 

“There are two very good reasons why she should, under no circumstances, be his wife. In the first place, we are very safe in questioning Mr. Williamson’s right to solemnize a marriage.”

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“There can be no question as to their nature,” he answered.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

If I might ask you to wait here for an instant, I have a question which I should like to put to the maid.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Maybe he is her brother. I do not know. I ask questions no more.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

The king, as far as I could conjecture, asked me several questions, and I addressed myself to him in all the languages I had.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

"Is he buried yet?" Martin seemed to hear his voice, like some one else's voice, from a long way off, asking the question.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

What if you are single? That’s a complex question.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

I was prepared for him again to set aside my question, and was surprised at the readiness of his reply.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

"Going to college, I suppose?" Meg's lips asked the question, but her eyes added, "And what becomes of you?"

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

"Well, just one question," I cried.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)