English · Word Candidate

query

/ˈkwɪə.ɹi/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: queries · querying · queried

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A question, an inquiry (US), an enquiry (UK).

Noun

Examples

The teacher answered the student’s query concerning biosynthesis.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A question mark.

Noun

Examples

His Glossary has ‘bouchen, to stop people's mouths,’; but this is followed by a query, to show that it was but a guess. I have shown, from the MSS. and other sources, that it should be bonched, i.e. bunched, bumped, knocked, smote.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To ask a question.

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To ask, inquire.

Verb

Examples

It’s queried whether there be any Science in the ſenſe of the Dogmatiſts: […]

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “query” mean?

A question, an inquiry (US), an enquiry (UK).

Is “query” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.