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

Example Sentences

The team's pitching is a big question mark this season.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even electronic shelf labels that allow retailers to automatically update pricing displays are a question mark, in part because of their bandwidth demands, said Mr. Kosla. —Isabelle Bousquette, WSJ, 26 Jan. 2023

In addition to location, the Chiefs also have a question mark on their quarterback for next week’s game. —Mark Inabinett | [e-mail], al, 21 Jan. 2023

Meanwhile, the Jets have lost their last three games and still have a question mark at the quarterback position. —Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 20 Dec. 2022

Tennessee will have a big question mark at quarterback as Ryan Tannehill is questionable with an ankle injury, but rookie backup Malik Willis led the Titans to victory last week. —Doug Ziefel, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2022

One man, Anatoly Shevchenko, had a question mark next to his name. —Valerie Hopkins, BostonGlobe.com, 10 June 2022

Analysis: The Colts had one question mark along the starting offensive line and addressed it in the third round with Central Michigan tackle Bernhard Raimann, creating one of the more interesting battles of training camp. —Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 9 May 2022

For URLs that already have a question mark, add an ampersand like this: &t=00m00s. —Kim Komando, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2022

The Cavaliers have a question mark at quarterback as starter Brennan Armstrong may still be in concussion protocol. —David Furones, sun-sentinel.com, 23 Oct. 2020

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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