question mark

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question mark

Question marks ( ? ) are used to identify sentences that ask a question (technically known as interrogative sentences). They almost always appear at the end of a sentence, marking its conclusion (though there is a specific exception to this rule).

question mark

1. A punctuation symbol (?) written at the end of a sentence or phrase to indicate a direct question. Also called interrogation point.

2. Something that is unknown, mysterious, or doubtful: Which players will still be on the team next year remains a question mark.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

question mark

1. (Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) the punctuation mark ?, used at the end of questions and in other contexts where doubt or ignorance is implied

2. (Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) 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

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ques′tion mark`

1. Also called interrogation point. a mark indicating a question: usu., as in English, the mark (?) placed after a question.

2. something unanswered or unknown.

[1865–70]

question mark

A punctuation mark used to show that something is being asked.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Noun

question mark - a punctuation mark (?) placed at the end of a sentence to indicate a question

interrogation point

punctuation mark, punctuation - the marks used to clarify meaning by indicating separation of words into sentences and clauses and phrases

Translations

؟عَلامَةُ إِسْتِفْهَامعَلامَة سُؤال

otazník

spørgsmålstegn

Fragezeichen

ερωτηματικό

signo de interrogación

kysymysmerkki

point d’interrogationpoint d'interrogation

upitnik

kérdőjel

spurningarmerki

punto interrogativo questione punto di domanda

疑問符

의문부호

klaustukas

vraagteken

spørsmålstegn

znak zapytaniapytajnik

ponto de interrogação

вопросительный знак

vprašaj

upitnikупитник

frågetecken

เครื่องหมายคำถาม

soru işareti

dấu chấm hỏi

问号

question mark

n → punto interrogativo

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

question

(ˈkwestʃən) noun

1. something which is said, written etc which asks for an answer from someone. The question is, do we really need a computer?

2. a problem or matter for discussion. There is the question of how much to pay him.

3. a single problem in a test or examination. We had to answer four questions in three hours.

4. criticism; doubt; discussion. He is, without question, the best man for the job.

5. a suggestion or possibility. There is no question of our dismissing him.

verb

1. to ask (a person) questions. I'll question him about what he was doing last night.

2. to regard as doubtful. He questioned her right to use the money.

ˈquestionable adjective

1. doubtful; uncertain.

2. probably not true, honest, respectable. questionable behaviour.

ˈquestionably adverb

ˈquestionableness noun

question mark a mark (?)

used in writing to indicate a question.

ˈquestion-master noun

a person who asks the questions in eg a quiz.

ˌquestionˈnaire (-ˈneə) noun

a written list of questions to be answered by a large number of people to provide information for a survey or report.

in question

being talked about. The matter in question can be left till next week.

out of the question

not to be thought of as possible; not to be done. It is quite out of the question for you to go out tonight.

question mark

→ عَلامَةُ إِسْتِفْهَام otazník spørgsmålstegn Fragezeichen ερωτηματικό signo de interrogación kysymysmerkki point d’interrogation upitnik punto interrogativo 疑問符 의문부호 vraagteken spørsmålstegn znak zapytania ponto de interrogação вопросительный знак frågetecken เครื่องหมายคำถาม soru işareti dấu chấm hỏi 问号

References in classic literature ?

It ends as it were with a big question mark, with a "conclusion in which nothing is concluded." For the position of the prince and his sister was unchanged, and they had not found what they sought.

View in context

"All I can do coming off the bench is affect the game and score the goals so hopefully that puts a question mark in the manager's mind."

STARTER'S ORDERS; Supersub Dom urging Silva to put him in Blues' first XI

Using a red pen to comb through the event guestlist, the usually affable Mr Thatcher banned Dame Shirley Bassey and duoGilbert and George- for reasons that remain unknown - marking ticks against those he "would personally like to see included" and question marks beside "those who, I believe, do not help".

Celebrities banned from Margaret Thatcher's lavish Downing Street party revealed - and those who were made very welcome; The usually affable Denis Thatcher combed through a guestlist with a red pen to strike off attendees, new records show

The increasing of crimes have become question mark over the performance of police in federal capital.

Increasing criminal incidents in capital becomes question mark over police efficiency

The action is a big question mark for secular India, he added.

Hindu lawmaker condemns India

"There is a serious question mark over the conviction.

Brothel evidence withheld - claim

"There is a question mark over next year for me," he said.

STEPHEN IRELAND has admitted there [...]

Sorcha Carey, curator for more than 30 public art works during the 10-week festival said: "We have had a lot of positive response already to the question mark. But it's early days.

If this is the question... then what's the answer? pounds 30,000 Biennial art exhibit puts question mark over the Mersey

At the moment, there is a question mark over this and it is little wonder that the Government's "partners" in delivering better schools for our children are a little wary.

Funding trap threatens our schools

"We are against anyone, Manchester United supporters or fans of other clubs, who try to put question marks against any of our players," he said.

United back Rio; GAME ON: FOOTBALL

Question Mark software makes it easy for educators and trainers to write, administer and report on assessments, tests, quizzes, exams and surveys using PCs, local area networks, the Internet and intranets.

e-business: Molyneux gets a result for Wolves

A QUESTION mark hangs over the head of Macclesfield caretaker manager Kevin Keen after his first League defeat at the Moss Rose.