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

One of the primary question marks around Costco in recent quarters has been slowing membership growth rates and wobbly renewal trends. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

The defensive front of UCF remains a question mark entering Saturday, as the Knights had to replace first-round pick Malachi Lawrence up front. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026

The postseason is right around the corner, and the Yankees have more question marks than The Riddler’s suit. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 23 Sep. 2026

As always, a question mark at the end of a clue hints at wordplay. — Sam Corbin, New York Times, 16 Sep. 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