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

Now, the only infield starter without an error is second baseman Gavin Lux — who, ironically, was the biggest defensive question mark in spring training, leading to a switch between him and Betts at the two middle infield positions. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2024

But Gerrit Cole’s elbow is already a concern and Carlos Rodón is always a health question mark. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2024

The latter aircraft has been a Southwest question mark for some time, as the airline has noted in its regulatory filings for a while that Max 7 deliveries would depend on how quickly the FAA moves. —Melvin Backman, Quartz, 12 Mar. 2024

Now, if the governments are not pushing as fast, then the question of 2050 becomes a question mark. —Fortune Editors, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024

To wrap up, a shot of Travolta from that fateful night with just a series of question marks filling the screen Watch Mendel’s birthday wishes to Adele Dazeem below. —Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2024

Joy Randolph are predicted to win individual trophies at the SAG Awards prior to repeating in their respective categories at the March 10 Oscars, the Best Actor race remains a question mark in the hunt at large. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 24 Feb. 2024

Moody drills a 53-yard field goal to take the lead 19-16 with less than two minutes left, potentially winning the game if the defense can hold off Patrick Mahomes. 11d ago / 7:09 PM PST Jason Abbruzzese Moody came into this game as a question mark for the Niners after some big misses. —Jason Abbruzzese, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2024

Beyond the $300 million question mark, some energy watchdogs warn there’s little means to know whether PG&E is complying with the loan terms and not using it to pay shareholders. —Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 26 Mar. 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