noun
Common
marker
MAH-kuh
Marker (noun) means a felt-tipped pen used for writing or drawing in bold, solid lines. Example: “She wrote the heading in thick black marker.”
noun
1
A felt-tipped pen used for writing or drawing in bold, solid lines.
"She wrote the heading in thick black marker."
"Use a marker to label each box so nobody mixes them up."
"The teacher squeaked a red marker across the whiteboard."
2
An object used to indicate a position, boundary, or point of reference.
"A wooden marker showed where the trail split."
"Runners passed the halfway marker at the ten-kilometre mark."
"Painted white markers along the road help drivers see the edge in fog."
3
A sign or indicator that something is true or likely.
"High blood pressure can be a marker for heart disease."
"Scientists use certain proteins in blood as a marker of inflammation."
"Regular eye contact is often a marker of confidence in conversation."
How to use marker
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA pen for bold writing, a physical sign showing a location, or a sign that indicates something else is true.
Common pairings
a permanent marker
a trail marker
a marker for disease
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- markers
- Past tense
- markered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She wrote the heading in thick black _____.
Etymology
From "mark" plus the agent suffix "-er" — literally "something (or someone) that marks."
Related words
Rhymes for marker
See all rhymes for marker →Frequently asked questions
What does “marker” mean?
The word “marker” means a felt-tipped pen used for writing or drawing in bold, solid lines. In plain terms, a pen for bold writing, a physical sign showing a location, or a sign that indicates something else is true.
How do you pronounce “marker”?
“Marker” is pronounced MAH-kuh (/ˈmɑː(ɹ)kə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “marker” in a sentence?
Here is “marker” used in a sentence: “She wrote the heading in thick black marker.”
What part of speech is “marker”?
“Marker” is a noun.
Is “marker” a common word?
“Marker” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “marker” have?
“Marker” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a felt-tipped pen used for writing or drawing in bold, solid lines.
What is the difference between a marker and a highlighter?
A marker is a felt-tipped pen that writes in bold, solid, opaque lines, while a highlighter uses translucent, usually fluorescent ink meant to be drawn over text so the words stay readable underneath. Markers cover the surface; highlighters emphasize what is already there.
What is the difference between a marker and a Sharpie?
Sharpie is a brand name for a popular type of permanent marker, so all Sharpies are markers, but not all markers are Sharpies. "Marker" is the general term, while "Sharpie" refers to one specific brand.
What is the difference between a marker and a pen?
A marker uses a felt or porous tip and lays down bold, thick, solid lines, while a pen such as a ballpoint or rollerball uses a fine tip for thinner writing. Markers suit bold lettering and coloring; pens suit everyday fine handwriting.
Besides a pen, what other things are called a marker?
A marker can be any object used to indicate a position, boundary, or point of reference, such as a boundary marker or a trail marker. Figuratively, a marker is also a sign that something is true or likely, as in "a genetic marker" or "a marker of success."
