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 Which is why there’s been a big question mark hovering over 2025: Is there going to be a follow-up to her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess? Daisy Jones, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2024 Ahead of the Globes’ Nov. 4 submission deadline, the classification of the MUBI release was the last remaining question mark among top-tier contenders. Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Oct. 2024 However, her bond with Quad is a lingering question mark. Dave Quinn, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024 China In The Crosshairs China is a big question mark for the luxury goods market in general and LVMH specifically. Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for question mark 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'question mark.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of question mark was in 1862

Dictionary Entries Near question mark

Cite this Entry

“Question mark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/question%20mark. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

question mark

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

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