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

Still, the idea of a 26-year-old with so few NHL games being able to step in and replace Bo Byram and Sean Walker as the club’s No. 5 defenseman was definitely a question mark when camp began. —Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 28 Nov. 2024

The team has question marks at first base, second base, in both corner outfield spots and in the bullpen. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Nov. 2024

The same could be said for Burnes’ spot in the rotation and the bullpen has several question marks even with closer Félix Bautista set to return from Tommy John elbow surgery. —Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 13 Nov. 2024

And aside from Webb, who finished with a 3.47 ERA over 204 2/3 innings, San Francisco’s current rotation options each have question marks. —Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024

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