question mark

American  

[kwes-chuhn mahrk] / ˈkwɛs tʃən ˌmɑrk /

noun

• question marks
  plural

1. Also called interrogation point.  Also called interrogation mark.  a punctuation mark indicating a question: usually, as in English, the mark (?) placed after a question.

2. something unanswered or unknown.

   His identity is still a question mark to most of us.

3. an anglewing butterfly, Polygonia interrogationis, having a silver marking that resembles a question mark on the underside of each hindwing.

---

question mark British  

noun

1. the punctuation mark ? , used at the end of questions and in other contexts where doubt or ignorance is implied

2. this mark used for any other purpose, as to draw attention to a possible mistake, as in a chess commentary

3. an element of doubt or uncertainty

---

question mark Cultural  

1. A punctuation mark (?) that follows a direct question: “Is Ralph really seven feet tall?”

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• question marks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of question mark

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

question mark

“We knew comedically she would crush it. The only question mark was about who she was as an actress,” says Lawrence.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026

“Although we’ve moved on since that point, I think there still is a question mark in investors’ minds as to whether Masino understands the Cracker Barrel business intimately.”

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

But he is also "a huge question mark", Lecturer Pierre-Henri Tavoillot says.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

What will happen with China is also a big question mark.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

But don’t use a comma after a quotation that ends with an exclamation point or a question mark.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Related Words

• conundrum
• puzzle