A computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product for producing a semantic query by example are provided. The method includes receiving examples of potential results from querying a database table with an associated ontology, and extracting features from the database table and the examples based on the associated ontology. The method further includes training a classifier based on the examples and the extracted features, and applying the classifier to the database table to obtain a semantic query result. The method also includes outputting the semantic query result to a user interface, and requesting user feedback of satisfaction with the semantic query result. The method additionally includes updating the classifier and the semantic query result iteratively in response to the user feedback.