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

These ramifications are substantial, experts say, especially given the question marks about the sustainability of AI spending. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026

And after starters Tarik Skubal and Framber Valdez took care of business in their season openers, Detroit's pitching staff has looked like a bigger question mark than expected with two straight losses. —Christian Romo, Freep.com, 31 Mar. 2026

That developmental cushion is critical for a prospect whose biggest question mark is experience, not talent. —Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026

In the high southeastern sky, look for a backward question mark that outlines the head and chest of the constellation Leo the Lion. —Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 29 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