Library / English Dictionary

QUESTION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Uncertainty about the truth or factuality or existence of something

Example:

there is no question about the validity of the enterprise

Synonyms:

doubt; doubtfulness; dubiousness; question

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

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

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

Derivation:

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

question (place in doubt or express doubtful speculation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The subject matter at issue

Example:

under the head of minor Roman poets

Synonyms:

head; question

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

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:

An informal reference to a marriage proposal

Example:

he was ready to pop the question

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

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

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

Sense 4

Meaning:

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

Example:

she called for the question

Synonyms:

motion; question

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

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

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

Sense 5

Meaning:

An instance of questioning

Example:

we made inquiries of all those who were present

Synonyms:

enquiry; inquiry; interrogation; query; question

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

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 6

Meaning:

A sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply

Example:

he had trouble phrasing his interrogations

Synonyms:

interrogation; interrogative; interrogative sentence; question

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

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)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Pose a question

Synonyms:

query; question

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

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:

questioning (a request for information)

questioner (someone who asks a question)

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

question (an instance of questioning)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Pose a series of questions to

Example:

We questioned the survivor about the details of the explosion

Synonyms:

interrogate; question

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

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:

Conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting

Synonyms:

interview; question

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

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 4

Meaning:

Challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

Example:

We must question your judgment in this matter

Synonyms:

call into question; oppugn; question

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

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 5

Meaning:

Place in doubt or express doubtful speculation

Example:

she wondered whether it would snow tonight

Synonyms:

question; wonder

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

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)

Credits

 Context examples: 

He never asked himself the question.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Ask me questions, and I will do my best to answer them.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Now, here you see young David Copperfield, and the question I put to you is, what shall I do with him?

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

This time the question was by Arthur.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Find an answer to all these questions, and you will have done good service for your country.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“And now comes the second question,” resumed Utterson: “Who is going to do it?”

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

My haggard and wild appearance awoke intense alarm, but I answered no question, scarcely did I speak.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

No use of such questions as that but to produce ill feeling.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

From the flushed faces and angry glances it was evident that the question was one upon which there was strong feeling upon both sides.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A fair enough question; but it is as fairly answered.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)