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noun

watermark

WAW-tuh-mahk
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Watermark (noun) means a faint design pressed into paper that becomes visible when the paper is held up to the light. Example: “Hold the banknote up to the light and you can see its watermark.”

noun
1
A faint design pressed into paper that becomes visible when the paper is held up to the light.
"Hold the banknote up to the light and you can see its watermark."
"The stationery carried a small watermark in one corner."
"Forgers struggle to reproduce an official document's watermark."
"She held the banknote up to the light to check the watermark."
2
A logo or mark placed over a digital image, video or broadcast, usually to show who owns it.
"The photographer added a watermark before posting the picture online."
"You can still make out the shape behind the watermark."
"The broadcaster's watermark sat in the corner of the screen throughout the match."
"The photographer added a watermark to every image on his portfolio site."
verb
1
To mark paper or a digital file with a watermark.
"The mill watermarks its finest paper with its own crest."
"She watermarks every photo before sharing it publicly."
"The document had been watermarked to stop unauthorised copies."
"You could see the old watermark on the wall from last year's flood."
2
To mark something, especially a digital file or paper, with a watermark.
"The studio watermarks every preview clip before release."

How to use watermark

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA mark or logo added to paper or a digital file, usually to show who made or owns it.

When to use it

Watermark is a plain, everyday word used in both print and digital contexts.

Memory tip

The stress falls on the first syllable: WAW-tuh-mahk, not water-MARK.

Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
watermark a photo digital watermark remove the watermark watermarked image
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Word forms

Plural
watermarks
Third person singular
watermarks
Past tense
watermarked
Test yourself on “watermark” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Hold the banknote up to the light and you can see its _____.

Etymology

Watermark is a compound formed within English by joining water and mark. It first described the faint pattern left in paper and later extended to any mark added, in print or digitally, to identify a source.

Origin: English

Synonyms

View more →
water line

Frequently asked questions

What does “watermark” mean?
The word “watermark” means a faint design pressed into paper, visible when held up to light, often used to prove authenticity. In plain terms, a faint identifying mark, whether pressed into paper, overlaid on media, or left by rising water.
What does watermark mean?
A watermark is a design that shows through paper when held to the light, or a logo placed on a digital image, video or document.
How do you pronounce “watermark”?
“Watermark” is pronounced WAW-tuh-mahk (/ˈwɔːtəmɑːk/ in IPA).
Why do people watermark photos?
People add a watermark to a photo to show who took it and to make it harder for others to use without permission.
How do you use “watermark” in a sentence?
Here is “watermark” used in a sentence: “She held the banknote up to the light to check the watermark.”
Is watermark one word or two?
It is written as a single word, watermark, with no hyphen.
What part of speech is “watermark”?
Depending on how it is used, “watermark” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “watermark” have?
“Watermark” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a faint design pressed into paper, visible when held up to light, often used to prove authenticity.

Example sentences

Sentences with a source are quoted from published work. Any opinions in them are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.

The TV channel's watermark sat in the top corner of the screen.
After the storm, a brown watermark ran along the wall at knee height.
The old letter carried the paper mill's watermark in one corner.
Hold the banknote up to the light and you can see the watermark.
The photographer adds a faint watermark to every picture she posts online.
To remove a watermark from a photo you are allowed to use, a free watermark remover lets you brush over it in your browser, with nothing uploaded.
From Free Watermark Remover
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