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

And that offensive-line configuration, even with a remarkable interior trio, was such a question mark in 2024 that the Chiefs needed to alter the strategy of their passing game to account for it. —Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2025

How the next mayor will shape the city's previously fragile financial health is a big question mark. —Annalise Frank, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025

Donald Trump's plan to recoup U.S. funds spent on Ukraine's self-defense holds significant potential, but is accompanied by several contingencies, question marks and potential drawbacks. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025

For retailers in the area, the immediate future remains a question mark. —Marissa Muller, WWD, 27 Feb. 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