question

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A sentence asking for information or an answer.

   The teacher asked the students a difficult question.

2. 2
   verb

   To ask someone questions, especially formally.

   The police questioned the witness for an hour.

3. 3
   verb

   To express doubt about something.

   Several experts questioned whether the plan would work.

4. 4
   noun

   A matter or problem that needs to be discussed or decided.

   The question of how to pay for it remains unsolved.

Common collocations

• good question Adjective + noun
• answer a question Verb + noun
• ask a question Verb + noun
• difficult question Adjective + noun
• important question Adjective + noun
• avoid a question Verb + noun
• open question Adjective + noun
• raise a question Verb + noun

From Middle English questioun, from Anglo-Norman questiun, from Old French question, from Latin quaestiōnem, accusative of quaestiō (“a seeking, investigation, inquiry, question”), from quaerere (“to seek, ask, inquire”), of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Italic *kʷaizeō, from Proto-Indo-European *kʷeh₂- (“to acquire”). Partially displaced native Old English āscung. Compare also Middle Low German quēstie (“questioning; inquiry”), Middle High German questje (“question”). Cognates include English quest.

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