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questioning

noun

  1. the act of exploring one's gender, sexual identity, and/or sexual orientation
  2. act of asking a question (of a listener)
  3. doubt, act of regarding as dubious
L326236 on Wikidata ↗

adjective

  1. unsure
L339690 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈkwɛs.t͡ʃə.nɪŋ/ / /ˈkwɛs.tjə.nɪŋ/ / /ˈkwɛʃ.t͡ʃə.nɪŋ/

adj

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

  1. Characterized by questions, inquisitiveness, doubt, or wonder; quizzical.

    Why do you have a questioning look? Are you puzzled about something?

  2. 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.

    Girls broadly fared worse than boys, and there is “ongoing and extreme distress” among teens who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or questioning (LGBQ+).

noun

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

  1. 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.

  2. The act of challenging, wondering, and doubting.
  3. 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.

verb

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

  1. present participle and gerund of question
questioning — meaning, definition (noun, adjective) · Vinony