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Technical Vocabularynoun|verb · /ˈkwɪəri/

query

In simple English

In tech, query is one of the most fundamental terms you will encounter. As a noun, it refers to a command sent to a database to retrieve, update, or delete data. As a verb, it means to ask a question or request information. In the workplace, developers query databases multiple times daily, data analysts write complex queries to analyze information, and team members query each other about design decisions. Understanding query is essential because it appears in job descriptions, code reviews, technical documentation, and team discussions across all tech roles—from frontend engineers to database administrators.

What does query mean in programming and databases, and how do you write and use queries at work?

At a glanceCEFR B2
Commonness5/5
Versatility5/5
FormalityCasualFormalNeutral
Spoken ↔ WrittenSpokenWrittenBoth
Directness ↔ DiplomaticDirectDiplomaticDirect
RegionUS and UK
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Say it like this

✓Run a query against the database
✓I have a quick query about the API response
✓Let me query the logs to find the error

Real examples

in a standup

"Yesterday I optimized the user lookup query and it now runs three times faster."

in a code review

"This query is missing a WHERE clause, which means it will select all rows instead of just the ones we need."

in a team meeting

"I have a query: should we cache the results of this database query to improve performance?"

Don't say this

Handle with care. Do not confuse query (a request for information) with quarry (a mining site). Also avoid using query as a general synonym for question in non-technical contexts.

✕We need to question the database about user information.
✓We need to query the database for user information.— In tech contexts, query is the correct term when accessing databases. Question is too informal and general.
✕Can you query why this feature is broken?
✓Can you investigate why this feature is broken? or Can you query the error logs?— Query cannot be used as a replacement for ask why in problem-solving. Use it for data retrieval or express doubt with a different structure.
✕The query returned 0 results so there is no data.
✓The query returned 0 results, so either there is no data or the WHERE condition is too restrictive.— An empty query result does not always mean no data exists—the query itself might be filtering incorrectly.

Other forms

noun

query

"The SQL query retrieved 1,500 customer records from the database."

noun plural

queries

"We optimized three slow queries in the reporting module last week."

verb

query

"You can query the API endpoint to check if the user exists."

verb past tense

queried

"She queried the database and found 47 duplicate entries."

Often used with

run a queryMost common phrase meaning to execute a query in a database
database queryThe standard phrase combining database with query
query performanceHow fast a query executes; often discussed in optimization
complex queryA query with multiple joins, conditions, or aggregations
query optimizationThe process of making queries run faster and use fewer resources
query result or query resultsThe data returned by executing a query

Similar words

requestMore general; query is more specific to data retrieval
questionMore informal; query is more professional and technical
searchBroader term; query is more precise for database operations

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Practice

Try it

4 quick exercises

Pick the most natural phrasing

1. Your manager asks you to find out how many users signed up last month. What do you say?

Complete the sentence

2. The _______ was taking too long, so we added an index to speed it up.

Spot the mistake

3. Which sentence uses query incorrectly?

Rewrite naturally

4. Rewrite this in natural tech English using query: 'I need to ask the database to show me all orders from the last 30 days.'

Questions

Quick poll

Have you said "query" in a standup this week?

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