1 mark
Pronounced:
/ˈmɑɚk/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural marksMeaning:
1 [count] a : a small area on the surface of something that is dirty, damaged, etc. ▪ a burn/scratch mark ▪ The glass left a water mark on the wooden table. —see also black mark b : an area of something (such as an animal's fur or skin) that is a different color from the area around it ▪ The cat has white fur with some black marks on its head and tail. —see also birthmark, strawberry mark, stretch marks
2 [count] a : a written or printed shape or symbol ▪ proofreading marks —see also punctuation mark b : a symbol or shape on something that identifies it, shows its quality, etc. ▪ The goldsmith's mark is stamped on the back. —see also landmark, postmark, trademark c : a cross made in place of a signature by someone who cannot read and write ▪ We read him the document and he made his mark on it.
3 [count] : something that shows how someone feels about something : a sign or indication of something ▪ He gave her the necklace as a mark of his esteem. ▪ They left flowers on the grave as a mark of respect. ▪ Those extra responsibilities he's giving you are a mark of confidence. [=they show that he has confidence in you]
4 [count] : a quality or trait that is typical of a particular type of person or thing —+ of ▪ Courtesy is the mark [=hallmark, sign] of a true gentleman. ▪ A willingness to ask tough questions is the mark of a good journalist. ▪ He thinks that indecisiveness is a mark of weakness. [=indecisiveness shows weakness]
5 [count] : a number or letter that indicates how a student has performed in a class or on a test : grade ▪ I got a good/high/low mark in/for English. ▪ I got a good/high/low mark on the spelling test. ▪ She barely earned passing marks in her first year of college. ▪ failing marks —often used figuratively ▪ I'll give them high/top marks for honesty. [=they are very honest; I give them a lot of praise and credit for being honest] —see also full marks
6 [singular] : a specified point or level ▪ We're at the halfway mark in the first period of play. ▪ The population has topped the 1,000,000 mark. —see also high-water mark
7 [count] : something that is aimed at or shot at : target ▪ The arrow hit/missed/overshot the mark. ▪ The bullet found its mark. [=hit the target that was aimed for] —often used figuratively ▪ Our fund-raising fell/was short of the mark. [=we did not raise as much money as we needed]
8 [count] US : a person who is tricked into losing money or property ▪ They proved to be easy marks for the swindler.
9 [count] : the line or place where a race starts ▪ The runners were told to take their marks. [=to get into position for the start of the race] ▪ On your mark, get set, go!
2 [count] a : a written or printed shape or symbol ▪ proofreading marks —see also punctuation mark b : a symbol or shape on something that identifies it, shows its quality, etc. ▪ The goldsmith's mark is stamped on the back. —see also landmark, postmark, trademark c : a cross made in place of a signature by someone who cannot read and write ▪ We read him the document and he made his mark on it.
3 [count] : something that shows how someone feels about something : a sign or indication of something ▪ He gave her the necklace as a mark of his esteem. ▪ They left flowers on the grave as a mark of respect. ▪ Those extra responsibilities he's giving you are a mark of confidence. [=they show that he has confidence in you]
4 [count] : a quality or trait that is typical of a particular type of person or thing —+ of ▪ Courtesy is the mark [=hallmark, sign] of a true gentleman. ▪ A willingness to ask tough questions is the mark of a good journalist. ▪ He thinks that indecisiveness is a mark of weakness. [=indecisiveness shows weakness]
5 [count] : a number or letter that indicates how a student has performed in a class or on a test : grade ▪ I got a good/high/low mark in/for English. ▪ I got a good/high/low mark on the spelling test. ▪ She barely earned passing marks in her first year of college. ▪ failing marks —often used figuratively ▪ I'll give them high/top marks for honesty. [=they are very honest; I give them a lot of praise and credit for being honest] —see also full marks
6 [singular] : a specified point or level ▪ We're at the halfway mark in the first period of play. ▪ The population has topped the 1,000,000 mark. —see also high-water mark
7 [count] : something that is aimed at or shot at : target ▪ The arrow hit/missed/overshot the mark. ▪ The bullet found its mark. [=hit the target that was aimed for] —often used figuratively ▪ Our fund-raising fell/was short of the mark. [=we did not raise as much money as we needed]
8 [count] US : a person who is tricked into losing money or property ▪ They proved to be easy marks for the swindler.
9 [count] : the line or place where a race starts ▪ The runners were told to take their marks. [=to get into position for the start of the race] ▪ On your mark, get set, go!
close to the mark or near the mark
: fairly accurate : almost correct ▪ Their estimate was pretty close to the mark.
leave/make a/your mark
: to do something that causes you to be remembered : to create a lasting or strong impression ▪ He worked at several jobs, but he didn't make much of a mark in any of them. ▪ From the moment we saw her in action, we knew she would make her mark as a teacher. ▪ Her kindness left its mark on her students.
miss its/the mark
: to fail or be wrong ▪ Their estimates completely missed the mark. [=were not accurate] ▪ The ad campaign was supposed to appeal to young people but it missed the mark. —see also 1mark 7 (above)
off the mark or wide of the mark
: not accurate or correct : not achieving the desired result ▪ The results of the fund-raising were wide of the mark. ▪ His efforts to console her were off the mark. [=his efforts to console her did not help]
quick/slow off the mark
: quick or slow to act or to understand something ▪ As soon as the opportunity arose, he was quick off the mark in exploiting it. ▪ I was slow off the mark [=I did not act quickly] and missed my chance.
up to the mark
: up to the usual standard of performance, quality, etc. : as good as usual —usually used in negative statements ▪ I haven't been feeling up to the mark lately. ▪ His work hasn't been up to the mark.
—compare 3mark