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

The Saints' quarterback room is loaded with question marks at the most important position in the sport. —Cecil Merkerson, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025

How the depth chart plays out at the running back spot will be a big question mark going into cutdown day, but Blue figures to factor into the mix at the top for a feature role in the offense. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2025

But question marks linger over both of NASA’s picks for lunar landers. —Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2025

The Patriots could get by with Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jahlani Tavai and Jack Gibbens here, but Tavai’s health is a question mark. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025

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