mark

[[t]mɑ͟ː(r)k[/t]]

♦♦

marks, marking, marked

1) N-COUNT A mark is a small area of something such as dirt that has accidentally got onto a surface or piece of clothing.

The dogs are always rubbing against the wall and making dirty marks...

A properly fitting bra should never leave red marks.

2) V-ERG If something marks a surface, or if the surface marks, the surface is damaged by marks or a mark.

[V n] Leather overshoes were put on the horses' hooves to stop them marking the turf...

I have to be more careful with the work tops, as wood marks easily.

3) N-COUNT A mark is a written or printed symbol, for example a letter of the alphabet.

He made marks with a pencil.

4) VERB If you mark something with a particular word or symbol, you write that word or symbol on it.

[V n quote] The bank marks the check `certified'...

[V n with n] Mark the frame with your postcode...

[V-ed] For more details about these products, send a postcard marked HB/FF.

5) N-COUNT: oft supp N A mark is a point that is given for a correct answer or for doing something well in an exam or competition. A mark can also be a written symbol such as a letter that indicates how good a student's or competitor's work or performance is.

...a simple scoring device of marks out of 10, where `1' equates to `Very poor performance'...

Candidates who answered `b' could be awarded half marks for demonstrating some understanding of the process...

He did well to get such a good mark.

Syn:

score

6) N-PLURAL: supp N If someone gets good or high marks for doing something, they have done it well. If they get poor or low marks, they have done it badly.

You have to give her top marks for moral guts...

His administration has earned low marks for its economic policies.

7) VERB When a teacher marks a student's work, the teacher decides how good it is and writes a number or letter on it to indicate this opinion.

[V n] He was marking essays in his small study.

Derived words:

marking N-UNCOUNT

For the rest of the lunchbreak I do my marking.

8) N-COUNT: usu the supp N A particular mark is a particular number, point, or stage which has been reached or might be reached, especially a significant one.

Unemployment is rapidly approaching the one million mark.

9) N-COUNT: N of n/-ing The mark of something is the characteristic feature that enables you to recognize it.

The mark of a civilized society is that it looks after its weakest members.

Syn:

sign

10) N-SING: a N of n If you say that a type of behaviour or an event is a mark of a particular quality, feeling, or situation, you mean it shows that that quality, feeling, or situation exists.

It was a mark of his unfamiliarity with Hollywood that he didn't understand that an agent was paid out of his client's share...

Shopkeepers closed their shutters as a mark of respect.

Syn:

indication, sign

11) VERB If something marks a place or position, it shows where something else is or where it used to be.

[V n] A huge crater marks the spot where the explosion happened.

[V n] ...the river which marks the border with Thailand.

12) VERB An event that marks a particular stage or point is a sign that something different is about to happen.

[V n] The announcement marks the end of an extraordinary period in European history...

[V n] That programme received critical acclaim and marked a turning point in Sonita's career.

13) VERB If you do something to mark an event or occasion, you do it to show that you are aware of the importance of the event or occasion.

[V n] The four new stamps mark the 100th anniversary of the British Astronomical Association...

[V n] Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to mark the occasion.

14) VERB If a particular quality or feature marks something, it is a quality or feature which that thing typically has.

[V n] Tragedy has marked Wilmette's life...

[V n] The style is marked by simplicity, clarity, and candor.

15) VERB Something that marks someone as a particular type of person indicates that they are that type of person.

[V n as n] Her opposition to abortion and feminism mark her as a convinced traditionalist.

16) VERB In a team game, when a defender is marking an attacker, they are trying to stay close to the attacker and prevent them from getting the ball. [mainly BRIT]

[V n] ...Aston Villa defender Kent Nielsen, who so effectively marked Gary Lineker.

Derived words:

marking N-UNCOUNT

They had stopped Ecuador from building up attacks with good marking.

(in AM, use , cover)

17) N-COUNT: usu num N The mark is the unit of money that is used in Germany.

The government gave 30 million marks for new school books.

N-SING: the N

The mark is also used to refer to the German currency system.

Since the beginning of May, the mark has appreciated 12 per cent against the dollar.

18) N-UNCOUNT: N num Mark is used before a number to indicate a particular temperature level in a gas oven. [BRIT]

Set the oven at gas mark 4.

19) N-UNCOUNT: N num Mark is used before a number to indicate a particular version or model of a vehicle, machine, or device.

...his Mark II Ford Cortina.

20) → See also , marking, , check mark, , full marks, , punctuation mark, , scuff mark, stretch marks

21) PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR on n If someone or something leaves their mark or leaves a mark, they have a lasting effect on another person or thing.

Years of conditioning had left their mark on her, and she never felt inclined to talk to strange men.

22) PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR on/in n If you make your mark or make a mark, you become noticed or famous by doing something impressive or unusual.

She made her mark in the film industry in the 1960s.

23) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If you are quick off the mark, you are quick to understand or respond to something. If you are slow off the mark, you are slow to understand or respond to something.

24) CONVENTION On your marks in British English, or on your mark in American English, is a command given to runners at the beginning of a race in order to get them into the correct position to start.

On your marks - get set - go!

25) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If something is off the mark, it is inaccurate or incorrect. If it is on the mark, it is accurate or correct.

Robinson didn't think the story was so far off the mark...

He's right on the mark about movies being out of step with American culture.

26) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If something is up to the mark, it is good enough.

The workers get rid of those whose work is not up to the mark.

Syn:

up to scratch

27) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If something such as a claim or estimate is wide of the mark, it is incorrect or inaccurate.

That comparison isn't as wide of the mark as it seems.

28) PHRASE: PHR with cl (emphasis) You can say mark you to emphasize and draw attention to something you have just said. [OLD-FASHIONED]

We're not extremists, mark you.

Syn:

mind you

29) to overstep the mark → see overstep

mark my words → see word

Phrasal Verbs:

- mark down

- mark off

- mark out

- mark up