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mark

23 synonyms and 2 antonyms for mark, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A visible line, spot, or impression left on a surface.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

blemish blot smudge Deutschmark chump nock

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A visible line, spot, or impression left on a surface.

“The wet glass left a ring-shaped mark on the wooden table.”

2. verb

To put a visible sign or symbol on something, or to grade schoolwork.

“Use a pencil to mark the spot where the shelf should go.”

3. verb

To acknowledge or celebrate an event.

“Families gathered in the square to mark the end of the festival.”

Opposites

How to use mark

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

leave a mark get good marks mark an occasion hit the mark

Etymology

From Old English mearc, meaning "boundary" or "sign" — the same ancient root that gives us "march" (a border region).

Full origin of mark →

Frequently asked questions

What does “mark” mean?
The word “mark” means a visible line, spot, or impression left on a surface. In plain terms, a visible sign or trace, a grade for work, a target, or (historically) German money — the exact sense depends heavily on context.
How do you pronounce “mark”?
“Mark” is pronounced mahk (/mɑɹk/ in IPA).
How do you use “mark” in a sentence?
Here is “mark” used in a sentence: “There was a scuff mark on the wall from the moving boxes.”
What is another word for “mark”?
Words with a similar meaning to “mark” include observance.
What part of speech is “mark”?
Depending on how it is used, “mark” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “mark” come from?
The word “mark” comes from Old English. From Old English mearc, meaning "boundary" or "sign" — the same ancient root that gives us "march" (a border region).
Is “mark” a common word?
“Mark” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “mark” have?
“Mark” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a visible line, spot, or impression left on a surface.
What is the difference between a mark and a stain?
A mark is any visible line, spot, or impression on a surface — it can be light, temporary, or easily removed. A stain is a specific kind of mark caused by a liquid or substance soaking in, usually discolouring the surface and hard to remove. Every stain is a mark, but not every mark is a stain.
What are the types of marks?
Marks come in many forms: spots, dots, lines, streaks, smudges, scratches, scuffs, blots, and stains. They may be made deliberately, like a pencil mark or a tick, or accidentally, like a scuff on a floor. The word covers almost any small visible change to a surface, whether it adds something or damages it.
What is an example of a mark?
A scuff left by a shoe on a floor is a mark, as is a fingerprint on glass, a pen line on paper, or a ring left by a wet cup on a table. Each is a visible line, spot, or impression on a surface — the core meaning of the word.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.