mark1

Pronunciation: /mɑːk/

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Definition of mark

noun

1a small area on a surface having a different colour from its surroundings, typically one caused by damage or dirt:the blow left a red mark down one side of her face
a spot, area, or feature on a person’s or animal’s body by which they may be identified or recognized:he was five feet nine, with no distinguishing marks

2a line, figure, or symbol made as an indication or record of something: the first syllable has a stress mark
a sign or indication of a quality or feeling:the flag was at half mast as a mark of respect
a written symbol made on a document in place of a signature by someone who cannot write: he signed his mark in the visitor’s book
a competitor’s starting point in a race.
Nautical a piece of material or a knot used to indicate a depth on a sounding line.
Telecommunications one of two possible states of a signal in certain systems. The opposite of space.
a level or stage that is considered significant:unemployment had passed the two million mark
British a particular temperature level in a gas oven:preheat the oven to Gas Mark 5

3chiefly British a point awarded for a correct answer or for proficiency in an examination or competition: many candidates lose marks because they don’t read the questions carefully figurativefull marks to them for highlighting the threat to the rainforest
a figure or letter representing the total number of marks awarded in an examination or competition and signifying a person’s score:the highest mark was 98 per cent
(also handicap mark) Horse Racing an official assessment of a horse’s form, expressed as a figure between 0 and 140 and used as the basis for calculating the weight the horse has to carry in a race: horses tend to run off a higher mark over fences than they would over hurdles
(especially in athletics) a time or distance achieved by a competitor, especially one which represents a record or personal best: he blasted away from the field during the second lap to knock a second off the existing mark

4(followed by a numeral) a particular model or type of a vehicle or machine:a Mark 10 Jaguar

5a target:few bullets could have missed their mark
informal, chiefly US a person who is easily deceived or taken advantage of:they figure I’m an easy mark

6 Rugby the act of cleanly catching the ball direct from a kick, knock-on, or forward throw by an opponent, on or behind one’s own 22-metre line, and exclaiming ‘Mark’, after which a free kick can be taken by the catcher.
Australian Rules an act of catching a ball that has been kicked at least fifteen metres before it reaches the ground, or the spot from which the subsequent kick is taken.

verb

[with object]

1make a visible impression or stain on:he fingered the photograph gently, careful not to mark it
[no object] become stained:they’re made from a woven surface which doesn’t mark or tear

2write a word or symbol on (an object) in order to give information:she marked all her possessions with her name
write or draw (a word, symbol, line, etc.) on an object:she marked the date down on a card
(mark something off) put a line by or through something written or printed to indicate that it has passed or been dealt with:he marked off their names in a ledger

3indicate the position of:the top of the pass marks the border between Alaska and the Yukon
separate or delineate (a particular section or area):you need to mark out the part of the garden where the sun lingers longest
(of a particular quality or feature) distinguish (someone or something) from other people or things:his sword marked him out as an officer
(mark someone out for) select or destine someone for (a particular role or fate):the solicitor general marked him out for government office
(mark someone down as) judge someone to be (a particular type of person):she had marked him down as a dangerous liberal
acknowledge or celebrate (an important event) with a particular action:to mark its fiftieth birthday the charity held a fashion show
be an indication of (a significant event or stage):a series of incidents which marked a new phase in the terrorist campaign
characterize as having a particular quality or feature:the reaction to these developments has been marked by a note of hysteria

4British (of a teacher or examiner) assess the standard of (written work) by assigning points for proficiency or correct answers:the examiner may have hundreds of scripts to mark
(mark someone/thing down) reduce the number of marks awarded to a person or their work: teachers must mark down GCSE work containing poor grammar

5notice or pay careful attention to:he’ll leave you, you mark my words!

6British (of a player in a team game) stay close to (an opponent) in order to prevent them getting or passing the ball:each central defender marks one attacker
Australian Rules catch (the ball) from a kick of at least ten metres: I did well at marking the ball

Phrases

be quick (or slow) off the mark: be fast (or slow) in responding to a situation or understanding something: he was quick off the mark with girls
get off the mark: get started: he took an hour to get off the mark but finished with 101 runs
leave its (or one's or a) mark: have a lasting or significant effect:he left his mark on English football
make one's mark: attain recognition or distinction: it took four years of struggle before we managed to make our mark
one's mark: British something which is particularly typical of or suitable for someone:‘I took you out.’ ‘To a motel! That’s just about your mark!’
mark time: (of troops) march on the spot without moving forward.; pass one’s time in routine activities until a more interesting opportunity presents itself: we’re all just marking time, waiting for Wednesday
mark you: chiefly British used to emphasize a statement:I was persuaded, against my better judgement, mark you, to vote for him
near (or close) to the mark: almost accurate:to say he was their legal adviser would be nearer the mark
off (or wide of) the mark
of mark: dated having importance or distinction:he had been a man of mark
on the mark: correct; accurate: his forecast for the weekend is right on the mark
on your marks: used to instruct competitors in a race to prepare themselves in the correct starting position.
up to the mark: up to the required standard: concern has been growing that economic forecasts are not up to the mark; [usually with negative] (of a person) as healthy or as cheerful as usual: Johnny’s not feeling up to the mark at the moment

Phrasal Verbs

mark something down: (of a retailer) reduce the indicated price of an item: ties are marked down by at least 25 per cent
mark something up

Origin:

Old English mearc, gemerce (noun), mearcian (verb), of Germanic origin; from an Indo-European root shared by Latin margo 'margin'

mark in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of mark in the US English dictionary

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Other

mark1

noun

verb

Phrases

be quick (or slow) off the mark

get off the mark

leave its (or one's or a) mark

make one's mark

one's mark

mark time

mark you

near (or close) to the mark

off (or wide of) the mark

of mark

on the mark

on your marks

up to the mark

Phrasal Verbs

mark something down

mark something up

Origin:

mark in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for mark

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