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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yet, without clarity soon, question marks for companies and consumers remain. Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 11 July 2025 Yet the latter has had injury problems and turns 37 early in the coming season, question marks remain over Patterson’s ability to be a regular starter and the 6ft 5in (197cm) O’Brien is a centre-back first and foremost. Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 11 July 2025 Luna moths need sweet gum and hickory, and question mark butterflies need hackberry trees. Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 7 July 2025 One of those question marks happens to come off of the edge defensive. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for question mark

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of question mark was in 1862

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Question mark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/question%20mark. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

question mark

noun
: a punctuation mark ? used chiefly at the end of a sentence to indicate a direct question

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