Standard Lemma guide

questioning

adj · noun · verb · 10 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈkwɛs.t͡ʃə.nɪŋ/
  • /ˈkwɛs.tjə.nɪŋ/
  • /ˈkwɛʃ.t͡ʃə.nɪŋ/
  • US, also: /ˈkwɛʃ.tə.nɪŋ/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: K W EH1 S CH AH0 N IH0 NG Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Characterized by questions, inquisitiveness, doubt, or wonder; quizzical.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable, usually

Examples

  • Why do you have a questioning look? Are you puzzled about something?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Unsure of one's sexual orientation or gender identity.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The action of asking questions; a survey; an inquiry.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

The act of challenging, wondering, and doubting.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

Interrogation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

present participle and gerund of question

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

adjective satellite

Meaning 7

showing curiosity

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • if someone saw a man climbing a light post they might get inquisitive
  • raised a speculative eyebrow

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: inquisitive, speculative, wondering(a)

Antonyms: none provided

8

adjective satellite

Meaning 8

perplexed (as if being expected to know something that you do not know)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he had a quizzical expression

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: quizzical

Antonyms: none provided

9

adjective satellite

Meaning 9

marked by or given to doubt

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a skeptical attitude
  • a skeptical listener

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: doubting, skeptical, sceptical

Antonyms: none provided

10

noun

Meaning 10

a request for information

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: inquiring

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: request, asking

Narrower terms: challenge, question, inquiry, enquiry, query, interrogation, examination, interrogatory

History

Etymology

From question + -ing (noun via Middle English questionyng).

Across languages

Translations

15 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Belarusian: апыта́нне (apytánnje) — action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry
  • Belarusian: до́пыт (dópyt) — action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry
  • Dutch: ondervraging — action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry
  • German: Befragung — action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry
  • Hindi: पूछताछ (pūchtāch) — action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry
  • Irish: ceistiú — action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry
  • Occitan: interrogacion — action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry
  • Russian: опро́с (oprós) — action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry
  • Spanish: preguntadera — action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry
  • Spanish: pregunteo — action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry
  • Spanish: preguntorio — action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry
  • Spanish: cuestionamiento — action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry
  • Ukrainian: о́пит (ópyt) — action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry
  • Ukrainian: опи́тування (opýtuvannja) — action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry
  • Ukrainian: до́пит (dópyt) — action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry
Real reading context

questioning in complete knowledge articles