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

But the Sabres have 41 points, are in last place in the Eastern Conference and have some major organizational question marks to answer in the months to come. —Matthew Fairburn, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025

As Hughes Fire Explodes To 10,000 Acres One question mark is whether the aim to have a distinct ‘British’ approach to AI and correspondingly the cultivation of ‘sovereign AI’, can survive competition from larger regions (notably the EU and US). —Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

There are also question marks over cost, with one estimate by the American Immigration Council of a $968 billion price tag in a decade, or $88 billion a year. —David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025

There are big question marks over the later stages of the deal. —Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025

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