question mark

Also called interrogation point, interrogation mark. a 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.

an anglewing butterfly, Polygonia interrogationis, having silver spots shaped like a question mark on the underside of each hind wing.

Origin of question mark

First recorded in 1865–70

We always went to church in the morning, and people were very kind, but it was kindness with a question-mark.

The Gay Cockade |Temple Bailey
Aren't you afraid that when you die you'll change into a question-mark?

Little Miss Grouch |Samuel Hopkins Adams
If Yorkburg had a coat of arms it ought to be a question-mark.

Mary Cary |Kate Langley Bosher
It has in it that element which he has described by a question-mark in his diagram, the element of forecast.

Civics: as Applied Sociology |Patrick Geddes

question mark

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

an element of doubt or uncertainty

question mark

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