different between questioning vs questionable

English

Etymology

question +? -ing

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?kw?st???n??/
• Hyphenation: ques?tion?ing

Noun

questioning (plural questionings)

1. The action of asking questions; a survey; an inquiry.
2. The act of challenging, wondering and doubting.
3. Interrogation.

Derived terms

• line of questioning

Translations

Adjective

questioning (not generally comparable, comparative more questioning, superlative most questioning)

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

2. (LGBT) Unsure of one's sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Verb

questioning

1. present participle of question

English

Alternative forms

• quæstionable (archaic)

Etymology

question +? -able

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?kw?st???n?bl?/
• Hyphenation: ques?tio?nable

Adjective

questionable (comparative more questionable, superlative most questionable)

1. Problematic; open to doubt or challenge.

   It is questionable if the universe is open or closed.

   • 1881, Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady, London: Macmillan, Volume I, Chapter 3, p. 28,^[1]

     A crude, cold rain was falling heavily; the spring-time presented itself as a questionable improvement.

2. Of dubious respectability or morality.

   Tiffiny’s behavior is highly questionable.

   • 1920, Carolyn Wells, Raspberry Jam, Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, Chapter 18, p. 302,^[2]

     […] he had a love of money—a sort of acquisitiveness, that led him into questionable dealings.

3. (obsolete) Inviting questions; inviting inquiry.
   • c. 1600, William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act I, Scene 4,^[3]

     Thou com’st in such a questionable shape

     That I will speak to thee.

Derived terms

Translations