interrogatory
C2 (Very Low Frequency)Formal, Legal, Academic
Definition
Meaning
A formal or official question, especially a set of written questions in a legal proceeding.
Having the nature of, expressing, or constituting a question; questioning in tone or intent.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a legal noun (plural: interrogatories). The adjectival use is rare and considered formal or even archaic outside of legal contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In both dialects, the term is almost exclusively legal. American legal procedure relies heavily on 'discovery by interrogatories'. British procedure uses them but may employ other disclosure mechanisms more frequently.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of official, formal, and often burdensome questioning. Outside of law, it can sound stilted or pretentious.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general usage. Slightly more common in American legal texts than in British ones, but remains a specialist term in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
serve [interrogatories] on [party][party] answers/responds to [interrogatories]subject [someone] to [interrogatory questioning]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A (The word itself is a technical term and does not feature in idioms.)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually unused. Legal departments may use it in the context of litigation.
Academic
Used in legal studies and occasionally in linguistics/philosophy to describe a questioning mode.
Everyday
Extremely rare and inappropriate for casual conversation.
Technical
Core term in common law legal systems for a formal discovery procedure where one party submits written questions to another.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- His interrogatory manner made the witnesses nervous.
- The letter concluded with an almost interrogatory postscript.
American English
- She fixed him with an interrogatory stare.
- The reviewer's comments were more interrogatory than critical.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The lawyer prepared a list of interrogatories for the opposing side.
- His tone was interrogatory, as if he doubted my story.
- Under the rules of civil procedure, the plaintiff is entitled to serve thirty interrogatories upon the defendant.
- The judge found the document's style to be unhelpfully interrogatory and demanded a simple statement of facts.
- During the discovery phase, interrogatories are used to obtain specific information from the other party.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an INTERROGATOR (someone who questions) writing down his questions in a TORY (British political party) meeting minutes – a formal, written set of questions.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUESTIONING IS A FORMAL REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (structured, written, and binding).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'интеррогативный' (a very rare, learned synonym for 'вопросительный').
- As a noun, it is a specific legal term, not a general 'вопрос'. Closer to 'письменный запрос стороны (в судебном процессе)' or 'интеррогатория' in specific legal translation.
- The adjectival use is archaic; avoid translating 'interrogatory look' as 'интеррогативный взгляд'. Use 'допрашивающий', 'испытующий', or simply 'вопросительный'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a synonym for 'interrogation' (which is an oral process).
- Using the adjective in everyday contexts where 'questioning' would suffice.
- Misspelling as 'interogatory' (missing one 'r').
- Using the singular 'interrogatory' to refer to the general process; the process is 'discovery' or 'interrogatories'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'interrogatory' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An interrogation is typically a live, often intense, questioning session (e.g., by police). An interrogatory is a formal, written question used in pre-trial legal procedures.
It is strongly discouraged. It sounds very formal and old-fashioned. Use 'questioning', 'inquisitive', or 'probing' instead.
The plural is 'interrogatories'. This is the form most commonly encountered, as they are usually submitted in sets.
No. It is a C2-level, specialised legal term. Learners not studying law are unlikely to ever need it.