mark
gb/mˈɑɹk/ us/mˈɑɹk/
A2
English
~ 1600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Visible sign on a surface
A line, dot, or shape you can see on something.
Usage pattern:
a [mark] on [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mark' with 'sign', but 'sign' often means an object or symbol that gives information, not just a visible spot.
Synonyms
stain (Often refers to a dirty or unwanted mark caused by a substance.)
|
spot (A small round area of color or dirt on a surface.)
Antonyms
cleanliness (The state of having no marks, dirt, or stains.)
Collocations
leave a mark
|make a mark
|birth mark
|pen mark
|dirty mark
Themes
daily life
|appearance
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There was a red mark on the wall where the paint had chipped.
- She noticed a small pencil mark on the paper.
- The table had several water marks from glasses.
Learner examples
- I see a mark on your shirt.
- The book has a pen mark.
- There is a black mark on the floor.
Verb
A2
action
2
Make a visible sign on something
To draw or make a line, dot, or shape on something.
Usage pattern:
to mark [something] with [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mark' with 'highlight', but 'highlight' means to make something stand out using color or emphasis.
Synonyms
label (To attach or write identifying information, sometimes in addition to marking.)
Antonyms
erase (To remove a mark from a surface.)
Collocations
mark a page
|mark territory
|mark the spot
|mark with pen
Themes
daily life
|art
|daily_life
|communication
Examples
- Please mark the correct answer on the form.
- She marked her name on the inside cover of the book.
- The teacher marked the students' work with red ink.
Learner examples
- Mark your name on the paper.
- Please mark the box you want.
- I will mark the date in my calendar.
Verb
B1
action
3
Give a score or grade
To check work and give it a score or grade.
Usage pattern:
to mark [someone's] [work/test]
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse 'mark' meaning 'grade' with 'mark' meaning 'make visible lines'. Context usually clarifies which is meant.
Synonyms
grade (Common in American English; same meaning but with regional variation.)
Antonyms
ignore (To not assess or evaluate the work at all.)
Collocations
mark essays
|mark exams
|mark homework
Themes
education
|work
Examples
- The professor spent the weekend marking essays.
- Teachers have to mark hundreds of exam papers each year.
- I still need to mark your homework before tomorrow.
Learner examples
- The teacher will mark our tests.
- She marked my homework today.
- He is marking the exam papers now.
Noun
A2
entity
4
Symbol or written sign
A letter, number, or other sign used in writing or printing.
Synonyms
symbol (A general term for an object or sign representing something else.)
Antonyms
blank space (An empty area without any symbols or marks.)
Collocations
punctuation mark
|question mark
|check mark
Themes
language
|education
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Use an exclamation mark to show strong feeling.
- The check mark means your answer is correct.
- There was a strange mark carved into the stone.
Learner examples
- Put a question mark at the end of the sentence.
- I see a check mark on my paper.
- He wrote his special mark on the letter.
Noun
B2
entity
5
Significant point in time/stage
A special time that shows something has changed or improved.
Synonyms
milestone (Commonly used for important events in life or progress in projects.)
Antonyms
setback (An event that delays progress instead of marking achievement.)
Collocations
reach a mark
|milestone mark
Themes
time
|milestones
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This victory marks an important stage in our campaign.
- His 50th birthday was a real mark in his life.
- The launch of the new product was a major mark for the company.
Learner examples
- Her graduation was an important mark in her life.
- Winning the game was a big mark for our team.
- This day is a special mark for our family.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mark
IPA
GB/mˈɑɹk/
US/mˈɑɹk/
Syllables & stress
mark (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (mark)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: mark
- Plural: marks
Verb
- Base: mark
- 3rd Person Singular: marks
- Present Participle: marking
- Past: marked
Word family
Forms
marks
noun
marking
verb
marked
verb
Core family
marker
noun A2
Negative and opposite forms
unmarked
adjective
Advanced or less common
markedly
adverb
Expressions
hit the mark
1/hˈɪt ðə mˈɑɹk/
idiom
Achieve exactly what was intended
To do something exactly right or as planned.
Examples
- Her joke really hit the mark with the audience.
- The marketing campaign hit the mark perfectly.
leave a mark
1/lˈiv ə mˈɑɹk/
fixed phrase
Cause lasting effect/damage/impact
To cause change that stays for a long time.
Examples
- The accident left a mark on his leg.
- That speech left a mark on everyone who heard it.
make your mark
1/mˈeɪk jˈʊɹ mˈɑɹk/
idiom
Achieve recognition or success
To do something important so people remember you.
Examples
- She really made her mark in the fashion industry.
- He made his mark as a talented writer.
off the mark
1/ˈɔf ðə mˈɑɹk/
idiom
Incorrect about something specific
Not correct about something you said or thought.
Examples
- His prediction was way off the mark.
- You're slightly off the mark with that answer.
on the mark
1/ˈɔn ðə mˈɑɹk/
idiom
Exactly correct or accurate
To be right or correct about something.
Examples
- Your guess was right on the mark.
- Her analysis was on the mark.