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

Etymology

Origin of question mark

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

question mark

The resolution to reappoint Chandrasekharan, while approved by the board, could be defeated at the company's Annual General Meeting as Tata Trusts is likely to vote against it, putting a question mark over his future.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 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

“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

“The question mark is how the United States would respond in that case,” said Heather Conley, senior fellow with the American Enterprise Institute, on a possible Russian incursion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

“You must be feeling better,” he observed, without a question mark.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez

Related Words

• conundrum
• puzzle