# question

/ˈkwɛstʃən/ (US) · /kwˈɛstʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/question
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. an inquiry

noun · CEFR A1

a sentence or phrase used to ask for information.

For teachers: an interrogative expression used to elicit information or a response.

- If you have a question about the homework, please raise your hand.
- The student raised a complex question regarding the ethical implications of the study, prompting a lengthy debate among the faculty.

### 2. a topic or issue

noun · CEFR B1

a subject or problem that people are thinking about or discussing.

For teachers: a subject, issue, or matter under consideration or discussion.

- The question of how to save energy is very important today.
- The committee addressed the question of funding for the new arts centre during the final hour of the meeting.

### 3. a doubt

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling of doubt about whether something is true or correct.

For teachers: an expression of doubt or a challenge to the validity or accuracy of something.

- There is no question that she is the best person for the job.
- His honesty was never in question until the missing documents were discovered in his private office.

### 4. to ask for information

verb · CEFR B1

to ask someone questions, often in an official way.

For teachers: to interrogate or solicit information from a person, often as part of a formal investigation.

- The police questioned the witness for two hours about the accident.
- Detectives questioned the suspect regarding his whereabouts on the night the jewellery was stolen from the gallery.

### 5. to express doubt

verb · CEFR B2

to show that you doubt if something is true or right.

For teachers: to express or feel doubt about the merit, truth, or wisdom of something.

- You should never question your ability to learn a new language.
- Several shareholders began to question the CEO's decision to expand into the overseas market so aggressively.

## Examples

- Can I ask you a quick question?
- The teacher encouraged the students to raise their hands if they had a question about the homework.
- The committee addressed the fundamental question of whether the current budget could sustain such an ambitious expansion over the next five fiscal years.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.