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• mark
  mark

  noun

  a visible impression or trace on something, such as a line, cut, dent, stain, or bruise.
• Mark
  Mark

  noun

  one of the four Evangelists: traditionally believed to be the author of the second Gospel.

mark

¹ American  

[mahrk] / mɑrk /

noun

1. a visible impression or trace on something, such as a line, cut, dent, stain, or bruise.

   The dye left a small mark on his arm.

2. a badge, brand, or other visible sign assumed or imposed.

   He carried the banner as a mark of his noble rank.

3. a symbol used in writing or printing.

   a punctuation mark.

4. a sign, usually an X or cross, made instead of a signature by someone who does not know how or is unable to write their own name.

5. an affixed or impressed device, symbol, inscription, etc., serving to give information, identify, indicate origin or ownership, attest to character or comparative merit, or the like, as a trademark.

6. a sign, token, or indication.

   The ambassador should bow as a mark of respect when meeting the queen.

7. a symbol used in rating conduct, proficiency, attainment, etc., as of students in a school.

   good marks; bad marks.

8. something serving as an indication of position, as a landmark.

9. a recognized or required standard of quality, accomplishment, etc.; norm.

   His dissertation was below the mark.

10. distinction or importance; repute; note.

    a man of mark.

    Synonyms:

    consequence, eminence

11. a distinctive trait or characteristic.

    the usual marks of a gentleman.

    Synonyms:

    attribute, stamp, feature

12. (usually initial capital letter) a designation for an item of military equipment in production, used in combination with a numeral to indicate the order of adoption, and often abbreviated.

    a Mark-4 tank; an M-1 rifle.

13. an object aimed at; target.

    to aim at the mark.

14. an object or end desired or striven for; goal.

    Synonyms:

    objective, purpose

15. Slang.

    1. an object of derision, scorn, manipulation, or the like.

       He was an easy mark for criticism.

    2. the intended victim of a swindler, hustler, or the like.

       The cardsharps picked their marks from among the tourists on the cruise ship.

16. Track. the starting line.

17. Boxing. the middle of the stomach.

18. Lawn Bowling. jack.

19. Bowling. a strike or spare.

20. Nautical. any of the distinctively marked points on a deep-sea lead line, occurring at levels of 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 13, 15, 17, and 20 fathoms above the lead.

21. a tract of land that may have been held in common by a primitive or early medieval community of peasants in Germany.

22. Archaic or History/Historical. a boundary; frontier.

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verb (used with object)

• marks,
  present (3rd person singular)
• marked,
  past participle,  past
• marking
  present participle

1. to be a distinguishing feature of.

   a day marked by rain.

2. to put a mark or marks on.

   to mark each box with an X.

3. to give a grade for; put a grade on.

   to mark the final exams.

4. scent-mark.

5. to furnish with figures, signs, tags, etc., to indicate price, quality, brand name, or the like.

   We marked all the books with prices.

6. to trace or form by or as if by marks (often followed byout ).

   to mark out a plan of attack.

7. to indicate or designate by or as if by marks.

   to mark passages to be memorized.

   Synonyms:

   tag, label, designate

8. to single out; destine (often followed byout ).

   to be marked out for promotion.

9. to record, as a score.

10. to make manifest.

    to mark approval with a nod.

11. to give heed or attention to.

    Mark my words!

12. to notice or observe.

    to mark a change in the weather.

    Synonyms:

    spot, regard, eye

verb (used without object)

• marks,
  present (3rd person singular)
• marked,
  past participle,  past
• marking
  present participle

1. to take notice; give attention; consider.

2. scent-mark.

verb phrase

1. mark up

   1. to mar or deface with marks.

   2. to mark with notations or symbols.

   3. to fix the selling price of (an article) by adding to the seller's cost an amount to cover expenses and profit.

      to mark up dresses 50 percent.

   4. to increase the selling price of.

   5. to make corrections or changes to (written or printed text).

   6. to indicate detailed instructions concerning the format, style, or structure for (a manuscript to be typeset, an electronic document, or a web page).

2. mark off to mark the proper dimensions or boundaries of; separate.

   We marked off the limits of our lot with stakes.

3. mark down to reduce the price of.

   These towels have been marked down.

idioms

1. make one's mark, to attain success or fame; achieve one's ambition.

   He set out to make his mark as a writer.

2. mark time. time.

3. wide of the mark, far from the target or objective; inaccurate or irrelevant.

   My first guess was wide of the mark.

4. bless / save the mark! (used as an exclamation of disapproval, contempt, impatience, etc.) Also God blesssave the mark!

5. on your mark / marks! (in calling the start of a race) take your places: Also get ready!, ready!

   On your mark! Get set! Go!

6. beside the mark, not pertinent; irrelevant.

mark ² American  

[mahrk] / mɑrk /

noun

1. the monetary unit of Germany from 1871 to 2002, when the euro was adopted: originally a silver coin.

2. the markka of Finland.

3. Also merk a former money of account and silver coin of Scotland, equal to 13s. 4d.

4. a former money of account of England, equal to 13s. 4d.

5. a former coin of Estonia, the 1/100 part of a kroon: replaced by the sent after 1927.

6. a former European unit of weight, especially for gold and silver, generally equal to 8 ounces (249 grams).

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Mark ³ American  

[mahrk] / mɑrk /

noun

1. one of the four Evangelists: traditionally believed to be the author of the second Gospel.

2. the second Gospel.

   to read aloud from Mark.

3. Arthurian Legend. King Mark, ruler of Cornwall, husband of Iseult and uncle of Sir Tristram.

4. Saint Mark. Marcus, Saint.

5. a male given name, form of Marcus.

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mark ¹ British  

/ mɑːk /

noun

1. a visible impression, stain, etc, on a surface, such as a spot or scratch

2. a sign, symbol, or other indication that distinguishes something

   an owner's mark

3. a cross or other symbol made instead of a signature

4. a written or printed sign or symbol, as for punctuation

   a question mark

5. a letter, number, or percentage used to grade academic work

6. a thing that indicates position or directs; marker

7. a desired or recognized standard

   he is not up to the mark

8. an indication of some quality, feature, or prowess

   he has the mark of an athlete

9. quality or importance; note

   a person of little mark

10. a target or goal

11. impression or influence

    he left his mark on German literature

12. one of the temperature settings on a gas oven

    gas mark 5

13. (often capital)

    1. model, brand, or type

       the car is a Mark 4

    2. a variation on a particular model

       a Mark 3 Cortina

14. slang a suitable victim, esp for swindling

15. nautical one of the intervals distinctively marked on a sounding lead Compare deep

16. bowls another name for the jack 1

17. rugby Union an action in which a player standing inside his own 22m line catches a forward kick by an opponent and shouts "mark", entitling himself to a free kick

18. Australian rules football a catch of the ball from a kick of at least 10 yards, after which a free kick is taken

19. boxing the middle of the stomach at or above the line made by the boxer's trunks

20. (in medieval England and Germany) a piece of land held in common by the free men of a community

21. an obsolete word for frontier

22. statistics See class mark

23. to succeed or achieve recognition

24. a command given to runners in a race to prepare themselves at the starting line

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verb

1. to make or receive (a visible impression, trace, or stain) on (a surface)

2. (tr) to characterize or distinguish

   his face was marked by anger

3. to set boundaries or limits (on)

   to mark out an area for negotiation

4. (tr) to select, designate, or doom by or as if by a mark

   to mark someone as a criminal

5. (tr) to put identifying or designating labels, stamps, etc, on, esp to indicate price

   to mark the book at one pound

6. (tr) to pay heed or attention to

   mark my words

7. to observe; notice

8. to grade or evaluate (scholastic work)

   she marks fairly

9. sport to stay close to (an opponent) to hamper his or her play

10. to keep (score) in some games

11. 1. to move the feet alternately as in marching but without advancing

    2. to act in a mechanical and routine way

    3. to halt progress temporarily, while awaiting developments

interjection

1. rugby Union the shout given by a player when calling for a mark

mark ² British  

/ mɑːk /

noun

1. See Deutschmark markka Reichsmark Ostmark

2. a former monetary unit and coin in England and Scotland worth two thirds of a pound sterling

3. a silver coin of Germany until 1924

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Mark ³ British  

/ mɑːk /

noun

1. one of the four Evangelists. Feast day: April 25

2. the second Gospel, traditionally ascribed to him

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mark More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing mark

• beside the point (mark)
• black mark
• give bad marks to
• high-water mark
• hit the bull's-eye (mark)
• make one's mark
• off the mark
• quick off the mark
• toe the line (mark)
• up to par (the mark)
• wide of the mark
• x marks the spot

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

• marking
  present
• marked
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• mark
  simple
• marks
  simple
• have marked
  perfect
• has marked
  perfect
• am marking
  progressive
• are marking
  progressive
• is marking
  progressive
• have been marking
  perfect progressive
• has been marking
  perfect progressive

Past

• marked
  simple
• had marked
  perfect
• was marking
  progressive
• were marking
  progressive
• had been marking
  perfect progressive

Future

• will mark
  simple
• will have marked
  perfect
• will be marking
  progressive
• will have been marking
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of mark¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English noun mark(e), marc(e), marcke, Old English mearc, merc “mark, sign, banner, dividing line, borderland”; cognate with German Mark “borderland, unit of weight,” Old Norse mǫrk “forest (originally, borderland), unit of weight,” Gothic marka “boundary, borderland,” Latin margō “border”; see margin, march ² ( def. )

Origin of mark²

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English marc, a unit of weight, from Medieval Latin marca, from Germanic; see mark ¹

Explanation

A mark is some kind of dot, line, or figure that emphasizes or distinguishes something. You might make a mark on your calendar to remind you of your best friend's birthday. There are many kinds of marks, from punctuation — like quotation marks — to spots or scars on skin — "The bee sting left a mark on his cheek." When you mark something, you leave a mark on it, check it off, cross it out, or label it. You can also mark something by noticing or acknowledging it: "Let's mark your birthday with a big party!" Shopkeepers mark prices on goods, and a "mark down" is a reduction in price.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mark Mark marks marked marking

Their running total of transfer fees long since careered past the £25m mark.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

Following a 1984 show in Tokyo, the painting came to Osaka to mark the 400th anniversary of Japan-Netherlands relations, drawing 600,000 viewers, said the Asahi Shimbun, which organised the latest show.

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

PSG are holding out for a fee in the region of £145m but Liverpool would be more willing to strike a deal closer to the £100m mark.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

What are the great games to mark on your calendar?

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

“In the very last place you look, mark my words!”

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

“It was scrutinized monthly,” said Mark LaNeve, a former executive who headed GM’s sales operations before its 2009 bankruptcy and later held the same job at Ford Motor.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

Reda Boutayeb, a second-year master’s student in the Mark and Mary Stevens School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence, carried his school’s banner during the event as he led new students in the procession.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

When Mark woke up in intensive care a couple of days later, there was "a lump where the right leg was and no lump where the left leg was".

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

As Mark Cuban mused, if the state doesn’t receive any incremental revenue, “what’s the point of that?”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

Mark Winters lives only two blocks from Ruby.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

The Thursday interview marks their first public conversation since their split in 2018.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

Thursday’s share unlocking marks the second of several such instances that are part of SpaceX’s staggered lockup schedule.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026

The listing on the technology-focused Star Market - which is widely known as China's Nasdaq - marks a milestone for Beijing's ambitious plans for the country's robotics industry.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

"Today marks an extraordinary milestone for Moderna, for mRNA science and, most importantly, for patients with cancer," Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said in a statement.

From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026

“I forgot about the kid. He’s feisty. Really left some teeth marks in Big Tony’s trousers.”

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

This has triggered a humanitarian crisis marked by rolling blackouts, the collapse of tourism, agricultural shortages and worsened medical care.

From Salon ● Aug. 21, 2026

Within each nation, too, the proportion of GCSEs marked at 4/C hasn't changed much:

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

The event marked a donation by IndyCar and the Fox Corporation to fund university scholarships, ahead of an IndyCar race through the streets of Washington to mark America's 250th independence anniversary.

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

For example, S&P 500 members marked what was then a record for buybacks in the same quarter the dot-com bubble peaked.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

He shrugs and flips his textbook open to a page marked with a green Post-it note.

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell

In one of his relatively rare major public appearances, Harry also delivered the keynote address at an informal meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York in 2022, marking Nelson Mandela International Day.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

Gross U.S. debt has surpassed $40 trillion, marking a new milestone in the country’s struggle to control its finances.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

The finding was later confirmed in follow-up surveys, marking the first confirmed roost of the species in South Yorkshire.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

The decision is a victory for Macron, who promised the law after his re-election in 2022, marking one of France's biggest social reforms since same-sex marriage was legalised in 2012.

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

He sat in his chair—still, but not at rest: expectant evidently; the lines of now habitual sadness marking his strong features.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Related Words

• impression
• imprint
• line
• point
• record
• scar
• score
• signature
• spot
• stain
• stamp
• streak
• symbol