interrogative

/ˌˈɪntəˌrɑgədɪv/

/ɪntəˈrɒgətɪv/

Other forms: interrogatives

Interrogative describes something questioning or that asks a question — like the interrogative tone of a cop grilling a suspect.

It’s likely you first met the word interrogative in elementary school along with its pals — declaratory, exclamatory, and imperative. It can be an adjective or noun, but it always has to do with questions or being questioning. An interrogative sentence is one like "What time is it?" If your voice goes up at the end of a sentence because you're seeking information, your tone is interrogative. If you keep asking question after question, you've being extremely interrogative.

Definitions of interrogative

1. adjective

   relating to verbs in the so-called interrogative mood
   “not all questions have an interrogative construction”
2. noun

   a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply
   synonyms: interrogation, interrogative sentence, question

   types:

   cross-question

   a question asked in cross-examination

   leading question

   a question phrased in such a way as to suggest the desired answer; a lawyer may ask leading questions on cross-examination

   yes-no question

   a question that can be answered by yes or no

   type of:

   sentence

   a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
3. noun

   some linguists consider interrogative sentences to constitute a mood
   synonyms: interrogative mood

   type of:

   modality, mode, mood

   verb inflections that express how the action or state is conceived by the speaker
4. adjective

   relating to the use of or having the nature of an interrogation
   synonyms: interrogatory

   antonyms:

   declarative

   relating to the use of or having the nature of a declaration