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.

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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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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

It is understood there is now a question mark over the government's financial commitment which has prompted a rethink.

From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026

Whether the episode amounted to anything beyond hearsay amid the ubiquitous sense of mass confusion and despair remains a question mark.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

But to many on Wall Street, the company’s AI strategy has been a big question mark hanging over the stock.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 6, 2026

I write down a couple of names, including Brenda Shank-Kravitz, Jordan Gripenwaldt, and Kate Finch with a question mark beside it.

From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven

Related Words

• conundrum
• puzzle