question marks plural Also called interrogation point . Also called interrogation mark . a punctuation mark indicating a question: usually, as in English, the mark (?) placed after a question. Also called interrogation point . Also called interrogation mark . a punctuation mark indicating a question: usually, as in English, the mark (?) placed after a question. something unanswered or unknown. His identity is still a question mark to most of us. something unanswered or unknown. His identity is still a question mark to most of us. an anglewing butterfly, Polygonia interrogationis, having a silver marking that resembles a question mark on the underside of each hindwing. an anglewing butterfly, Polygonia interrogationis, having a silver marking that resembles a question mark on the underside of each hindwing. the punctuation mark ? , used at the end of questions and in other contexts where doubt or ignorance is implied the punctuation mark ? , used at the end of questions and in other contexts where doubt or ignorance is implied this mark used for any other purpose, as to draw attention to a possible mistake, as in a chess commentary this mark used for any other purpose, as to draw attention to a possible mistake, as in a chess commentary an element of doubt or uncertainty an element of doubt or uncertainty A punctuation mark (?) that follows a direct question: “Is Ralph really seven feet tall?” A punctuation mark (?) that follows a direct question: “Is Ralph really seven feet tall?” Other Word Forms Noun Inflected Forms question marks plural

Origin of question mark First recorded in 1865–70 Example Sentences Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com. See Examples For: Theo Walcott: Maresca replacing Pep is obviously a gigantic question mark, but City's squad is still absurd. From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026 The question mark is at left guard, with five candidates in the mix: Kayode Awosika, Branson Taylor, Jake Slaughter, Trey Pipkins III and Trevor Penning. From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 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 “Although we’ve moved on since that point, I think there still is a question mark in investors’ minds as to whether Masino understands the Cracker Barrel business intimately.” From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026 Sophie Mol said to Chacko, mimicking her mother’s question mark . From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023 Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer. You'll remember them forever.