hallmark
Americannoun
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an official mark or stamp indicating a standard of purity, used in marking gold and silver articles assayed by the Goldsmiths' Company of London; plate mark.
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any mark or special indication of genuineness, good quality, etc.
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any distinguishing feature or characteristic.
Accuracy is a hallmark of good scholarship.
verb (used with object)
noun
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an official series of marks, instituted by statute in 1300, and subsequently modified, stamped by the Guild of Goldsmiths at one of its assay offices on gold, silver, or platinum (since 1975) articles to guarantee purity, date of manufacture, etc
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a mark or sign of authenticity or excellence
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an outstanding or distinguishing feature
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of hallmark
1715–25; Goldsmiths' Hall, London, the seat of the Goldsmiths' Company + mark 1
Explanation
A hallmark is a distinctive characteristic of something or someone. That can mean a literal symbol on the bottom of a piece of pottery, or just a rock star's signature hair style. Though some products have real hallmarks on them, indicating their creator or origin, this word is usually used in a less literal way to describe a unique attribute, a special style, or typical feature. A basketball player could say that coming to practice early is a hallmark of her success. A business could say their success is a hallmark of their commitment to customers. And you could definitely say Elvis' hip swivel was a hallmark of his performances.
Vocabulary lists containing hallmark
President Obama's Farewell Address
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President Obama's Commencement Address (2016)
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Should girls be allowed to join the boy scouts? 10 Vocab Words
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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.
These abnormal protein clumps are considered hallmark signs of the disease.
From Science Daily • May 29, 2026
Another hallmark of the California-based designers’ work on the Luce are interfaces that blend the digital and physical.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026
Diranersen targets one of the hallmark pathologies of the disease, a buildup of a protein called tau.
From Barron's • May 14, 2026
Rapid expansion has been a hallmark of the Wende of late.
From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2026
Dignity was the hallmark of all his actions.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
