What does questionnaire mean?
A questionnaire is a structured set of questions used to collect information from individuals or groups. It may be presented on paper or electronically, and it is commonly used in research, education, business, healthcare, and public-opinion surveys. Unlike a single question, a questionnaire usually seeks information on a particular topic and may be designed to produce results that can be counted, compared, or analyzed. In conversation, “questionnaire” can sound somewhat formal, while “survey” is often more familiar. The word is especially useful when distinguishing a deliberate collection of questions from an informal request for information. The related terms “questionnaire results” and “questionnaire responses” refer to the data or answers obtained through this method.
nounA written set of questions designed to collect information from a person or group, especially for research, evaluation, or statistical analysis. It may be completed by respondents individually or administered by an interviewer.
- A set of written questions used to gather information about opinions, experiences, characteristics, or other matters of interest.
"Participants completed a questionnaire about their reading habits and attitudes toward the new library services."
"The study used a questionnaire to assess students' attitudes toward online learning."
"Applicants were asked to complete the questionnaire before their interview."
The plural is formed by adding “-s,” as in “research questionnaires” or “completed questionnaires.”
"Several questionnaires were returned after the workshop."
A questionnaire turns curiosity into data: one question invites an answer, while many questions can reveal a much bigger pattern.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does questionnaire come from?
“Questionnaire” was borrowed into English from French, where it is formed from “question” and the suffix “-naire.” Its development reflects the expansion of a simple request for information into a formal, systematic instrument. The word is related to English “question,” which comes through Old French from Latin “quaestio,” a asking or inquiry.
Related word forms
How questionnaire is actually used
The word is most common in research, education, business, and public-opinion contexts. In everyday speech, “survey” is often the more natural alternative.
Easily confused with questionnaire
A question is a single request for information, whereas a questionnaire is a structured set of questions.