question mark

noun

1

a

: something unknown, unknowable, or uncertain

b

: someone (such as an athlete) whose condition, talent, or potential for success is in doubt

2

: a mark ? used in writing and printing at the conclusion of a sentence to indicate a direct question

Examples of question mark in a Sentence

The team's pitching is a big question mark this season.

Recent Examples on the Web

Whether Ecuador’s action will help reduce the number of migrants from China remains a question mark. —Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2024

My boyfriend, Benjamin, caught my eye across the room, touched his hand to his throat and made his face into a question mark, What’s wrong with your voice? —Dessa Dessa Tanya Pérez Alec K. Redfearn, New York Times, 12 June 2024

Because the Giants line’s depth profiles at the moment as a Giant question mark. Ezeudu surprisingly continues to work at tackle. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 3 June 2024

The one question mark about Pixel phones is a history of bizarre build quality and software issues that have plagued them at launch. —Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 13 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

question mark

noun

: a punctuation mark ? used chiefly at the end of a sentence to indicate a direct question