question mark

American  

[kwes-chuhn mahrk] / ˈkwɛs tʃən ˌmɑrk /

noun

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.

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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

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question mark Cultural  

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

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Etymology

Origin of question mark

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

One of his projects, focused on adaptation to climate change, has already been axed, and he cannot hire any more PhD students, with a giant question mark over his funding.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

“The big question mark for me is what’s going to happen in Asia,” she says, adding that what would really set the stocks alight would be a recovery in Chinese travel numbers.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

“There’s just a big question mark about where gasoline is going to be pulling in from next,” said Smith.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2026

The great thing about Cher’s tweet is that it doesn’t end with a question mark.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026

I stare at the word card with its big question mark.

From "Rules" by Cynthia Lord

Related Words

• conundrum
• puzzle