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

“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

Make it when the party’s a question mark but the food doesn’t have to be..

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

Right-side infield defense will be a question mark with Arraez returning to second base and Rafael Devers manning first.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

Aston Martin are in such dire straits that there is a significant question mark about which of the two will be slowest in Melbourne.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

“It’s a good step if she can breathe on her own. It shows her lungs are healing and her internal injuries are stabilizing. The question mark is still the brain contusions.”

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman

Related Words

• conundrum
• puzzle