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

The Yankees’ biggest question mark is their bullpen. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026

Right-side infield defense will be a question mark with Arraez returning to second base and Rafael Devers manning first. —Jack Vita, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026

There are plenty of question marks surrounding the status of other players who are eligible to return. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026

And things look good for the right-handed hitting Austin Martin, who was a question mark because of his health after suffering a concussion Monday. —Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for question mark

• disembark
• matriarch
• meadowlark
• patriarch
• watermark
• arc
• ark
• bark
• barque
• dark
• hark
• lark

Kids Definition

question mark

noun

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