What does interrogatory mean?
Interrogatory means relating to questions or questioning, and as a noun it can mean a question itself, particularly one asked as part of a formal process. The adjective is most often encountered in specialist or formal contexts, as in “interrogatory sentence,” “interrogatory tone,” or “interrogatory particle.” A sentence or gesture can be interrogatory when it seeks information, tests a claim, or presses someone to explain. The word often suggests examination rather than ordinary curiosity, which helps explain its association with legal questioning and formal investigations. It is related to, but not identical with, interrogative: the latter is the standard grammatical label for a word or construction that forms a question, whereas interrogatory is broader and somewhat more literary. In everyday speech, question, query, or questioning will usually sound more natural.
Relating to a question or questioning; consisting of or serving to ask questions.
"The witness gave an interrogative response."
More formal than the everyday terms question and questioning, though common in linguistic and legal description.
A question, especially one put formally to someone as part of an interrogation.
"The defense submitted the interrogatory at noon."
The noun is relatively uncommon outside formal or legal contexts.
The plural is standard but uncommon; it refers to multiple questions or items in a formal set of questions.
"The court received three interrogatories from the opposing party."
Interrogatory is the formal cousin of a question: it can describe a sentence, a tone, or the whole business of asking.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does interrogatory come from?
Interrogatory comes through Middle English from Anglo-Norman French interrogatoire, ultimately from Latin interrogatorius, an adjective meaning “of interrogation,” derived from interrogare, “to question.” Latin interrogare combines inter-, meaning “between” or “among,” with rogare, “to ask.” The English word developed in a formal legal and literary context before becoming a general adjective and noun.
How interrogatory is actually used
Interrogatory is formal and literary. In general grammar, interrogative is more common and more precise, while interrogatory is especially associated with legal, linguistic, or formal questioning.
Easily confused with interrogatory
Interrogative is the usual grammatical term for a word or construction that forms a question, while interrogatory is broader and more formal and can describe questions, questioning procedures, or an interrogative tone.