Dictionary

questioning en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /ˈkwɛʃ.t͡ʃə.nɪŋ/
• (US) audio
• /ˈkwɛs.t͡ʃə.nɪŋ/
• /ˈkwɛʃ.tə.nɪŋ/ (US, also)
• /ˈkwɛs.tjə.nɪŋ/

Etymology

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

Meanings

1. (not-comparable, usually) Characterized by questions, inquisitiveness, doubt, or wonder; quizzical.
   • Why do you have a questioning look? Are you puzzled about something?
2. (not-comparable, usually) Unsure of one's sexual orientation or gender identity.
   • We entertain the boy and it becomes more evident that his dad is trans and he is questioning; my coworker keeps frowning about it. 2020 February 4, “Transitioning To Some New Protocols”, in Not Always Right, archived from the original on 29 Jan 2021:
   • Girls broadly fared worse than boys, and there is “ongoing and extreme distress” among teens who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or questioning (LGBQ+). 2023 February 13, Deidre McPhillips, “Teens, especially girls, are experiencing more violence, suicidal thoughts and mental health challenges, CDC survey finds”, in CNN:

Forms

Deriveds

nonquestioning · unquestioning · questioningly

questioning en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈkwɛʃ.t͡ʃə.nɪŋ/
• (US) audio
• /ˈkwɛs.t͡ʃə.nɪŋ/
• /ˈkwɛʃ.tə.nɪŋ/ (US, also)
• /ˈkwɛs.tjə.nɪŋ/

Etymology

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

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) The action of asking questions; a survey; an inquiry.
   • I didn’t know much about medical supplies, so I took the list Docc handed me without much questioning. 2018, Megan DeVos, Anarchy, Orion, →ISBN:
2. (countable, uncountable) The act of challenging, wondering, and doubting.
3. (countable, uncountable) Interrogation.
   • The official Central News agency said a Nationalist patrol boat Dec. 28 captured six Communist spies disguised as fishermen as they approached within 1,000 yards of the Paichuan in a motorized fishing craft. They were taken to Matsu for questioning. 1955 December 31, “Chiang Says Time Near For Mainland Uprising”, in The Christian Science Monitor, Atlantic edition, volume 48, number 31, Boston, sourced from Associated Press, Taipei, Formosa, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 4, column 5:

Forms

Deriveds

self-questioning · cross-questioning · line of questioning

Translations (15)

uk до́пит (action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry) · es pregunteo (action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry) · be апыта́нне (action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry) · de Befragung (action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry) · be до́пыт (action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry) · hi पूछताछ (action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry) · ga ceistiú (action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry) · ru опро́с (action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry) · es cuestionamiento (action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry) · es preguntadera (action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry) · uk опи́тування (action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry) · oc interrogacion (action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry) · es preguntorio (action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry) · nl ondervraging (action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry) · uk о́пит (action of asking questions; a survey or inquiry)

questioning en · VERB

Pronunciation

• /ˈkwɛʃ.t͡ʃə.nɪŋ/
• (US) audio
• /ˈkwɛs.t͡ʃə.nɪŋ/
• /ˈkwɛʃ.tə.nɪŋ/ (US, also)
• /ˈkwɛs.tjə.nɪŋ/

Etymology

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

Meanings

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present) present participle and gerund of question
   form of question