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.

---

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

---

question mark Cultural  

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

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• question marks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of question mark

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

The question mark coming into Sunday's final was in relation to her fitness.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026

Washington So it’d be like 007 with a question mark: 007?

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 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

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

She uses a cane, and her back curves into a question mark.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• conundrum
• puzzle