question mark

American  

[kwes-chuhn mahrk] / ˈkwɛs tʃən ˌmɑrk /

noun

• question marks
  plural

1. Also called interrogation point, 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

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Etymology

Origin of question mark

First recorded in 1865–70

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

question mark

In the meantime, the trade-policy question mark has ensured that the U.S. has abundant supplies of a critical metal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

Arsenal are so powerful and the only question mark around them is if they are a forward or two short.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

"There was never a tiny question mark about it. It was complete commitment and alignment that Morgan stays here, also from his side," said the former Crystal Palace head coach.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

It is indeed a huge question mark, one that suddenly appeared less than two weeks ago when Walter stunningly sold the Lakers just 14 months after buying them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

Sophie Mol said to Chacko, mimicking her mother’s question mark.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

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Related Words

• conundrum
• puzzle

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