query

UK: /ˈkwɪəri/ US: /ˈkwɪri, ˈkwɛri/ ,(kwēr′ē)

Inflections of 'query' (n): npl: queries

Inflections of 'query' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

queries

v 3rd person singular

querying

v pres p

queried

v past

queried

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

que•ry /ˈkwɪri, ˈkwɛri/   n., pl. -ries, v., -ried, -ry•ing. 
n. [countable]

1. a question;
   an inquiry:
   The reporter had a query for the mayor.
2. Printing question mark (def. 1).

v. [~ + object]

3. to question as doubtful:
   to query a statement.
4. to ask questions of:
   They queried her on her future plans.

See -quer-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

que•ry  (kwēr′ē), n., pl. -ries, v., -ried, -ry•ing. 
n. 

1. a question;
   an inquiry.
2. mental reservation;
   doubt.
3. Printing a question mark (?), esp. 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.

v.t. 

5. to ask or inquire about:
   No one queried his presence.
6. to question as doubtful or obscure:
   to query a statement.
7. Printing to mark (a manuscript, proof sheet, etc.) with a query.
8. to ask questions of.

• Latin quaere quaere
• alteration (compare -y³) of earlier quere 1625–35

que′ry•ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

query / ˈkwɪərɪ/ noun ( -ries)

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

verb ( -ries, -rying, -ried)(transitive)

1. to express uncertainty, doubt, or an objection concerning (something)
2. to express as a query
3. to put a question to (a person); ask

Etymology: 17th Century: from earlier quere, from Latin quaere ask!, from quaerere to seek, inquire