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

In the week ahead, the outcome at the polls and what the Fed decides at its two-day monetary policy meeting are the big economic question marks. —Zev Fima, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2024

Business litigation Amount: $482 million Creditor: New York attorney general Status: Under appeal Interest rate: 9% The largest liability on Trump’s balance sheet is also its biggest question mark. —Dan Alexander, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

While the guard rotation is a lingering question mark, Giddey should provide a new key to unlock LaVine offensively — particularly his cutting, which could open the type of narrow passing windows that Giddey excels at finding. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Oct. 2024

Forty-eight hours out from Game 1, Freeman looked like a much bigger question mark. —Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 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