query
KWEER-ree
Query (noun) means a question, especially one asking for information or clarification. Example: “Please direct any queries to the support desk.”
noun
1
A question, especially one asking for information or clarification.
"Please direct any queries to the support desk."
"I have a query about my recent invoice."
"The teacher answered each student's query before the lesson ended."
verb
1
To ask a question about something, or to express doubt about it.
"She queried the accuracy of the report."
"He queried why the shipment was delayed."
"The customer queried the bill because one item looked wrong."
2
To request information from a database using a formal set of instructions.
"The app queries the database every time you search."
"You can query the table to find all orders from last month."
"I wrote a short script to query the customer records for duplicate emails."
How to use query
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA question, or the act of asking one — including asking a computer database for information.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
raise a query
database query
query letter
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- queries
- Past tense
- queried
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I have a _____ about my recent invoice.
Etymology
From an old variant of Latin quaere, "ask, seek" — the imperative form of quaerere.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for query
See all rhymes for query →Frequently asked questions
What does “query” mean?
The word “query” means a question, especially one asking for information or clarification. In plain terms, a question, or the act of asking one — including asking a computer database for information.
How do you pronounce “query”?
“Query” is pronounced KWEER-ree (/ˈkwɪ.ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “query” in a sentence?
Here is “query” used in a sentence: “I have a query about my recent invoice.”
What part of speech is “query”?
Depending on how it is used, “query” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “query” come from?
The word “query” comes from Latin. From an old variant of Latin quaere, "ask, seek" — the imperative form of quaerere.
Is “query” a common word?
“Query” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “query” have?
“Query” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a question, especially one asking for information or clarification.
What is the difference between a query and a question?
A query is a type of question, often one that specifically asks for information, clarification, or expresses doubt about something. Question is the broader term, while query tends to sound slightly more formal or technical.
What does query mean in the context of databases?
In computing, a query is a formal request for information from a database, written using a structured set of instructions such as SQL. This is a more specialized use of the word than simply asking a question in conversation.
Can query be used to express doubt rather than ask a question?
Yes, as a verb, query can mean to question or express doubt about something, such as querying a decision or querying whether a figure is correct, rather than simply requesting new information.
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