adjective / noun

interrogative

in-tuh-RAH-guh-tiv/ˌɪntəˈrɑːɡətɪv/

Expressing or used to ask a question.

Her interrogative tone makes the simple statement sound like a question.

Friendly Black teacher holds up question-mark card while asking class.

Etymology

interLatinbetween, among

+rogatLatinask, question

+iveLatinpertaining to

The “ask, question” root becomes an adjective meaning “pertaining to a question.” In grammar, this describes a word or construction whose function is to ask a question.

In context

RobWords11:05

hence this emphatic questioning symbol that never caught on is called the interrobang, It is an interrogative bang.

Where does punctuation come from?!

More examples

An interrogative sentence asks a question rather than making a statement.
"Who" and "what" are common interrogatives in English.
He gives me an interrogative look when I stop talking.

Forms

interrogative · interrogatives

interrogate verb — To question someone closely or formally.

interrogation noun — The act of questioning someone closely.

Similar words

questioning: Emphasizes curiosity or doubt rather than a grammatical function.
inquiring: Describes a curious manner, not a grammatical question form.