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

Behind Fox and Gavrikov, the team’s defensive group has plenty of question marks. —Peter Baugh, New York Times, 2 June 2026

The United States’ men’s national team already has a major injury question mark before the 2026 FIFA World Cup even kicks off. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026

After some question marks early, Minderman is clearly a big part of Geneva’s rotation. —Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026

Quarterback remains a question mark with sophomore JuJu Lewis set to battle with Utah transfer Isaac Wilson for the starting job. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 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