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 biggest uncertainty of it all is the actual status of LIV Golf itself after the circuit's recent bankruptcy filing, leaving its status a giant question mark. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Michael Penix sounds doubtful for Week 2, and Tua Tagovailoa is a question mark — in both health and play. — Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Arizona's defense was one of the worst in the NFL last season and still a huge question mark heading into Week 1 this year, but performed better than expected. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Caleb Douglas can be legit Wide receiver was always going to be a question mark for the Dolphins in 2026 following the departure of Jaylen Waddle. — Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 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