marking Definition

mark¹
noun

1. A visible blemish, such as a scratch or stain.

Thesaurus: spot, blemish, nick, pock, scar, bruise, scratch, blotch, splotch, stain; stamp, brand, imprint, impression,check.
2. A patch, stripe, spot, etc forming part of a larger pattern.
3a. A grade or score awarded according to the proficiency of a student or competitor, etc;
3b. A letter, number, or percentage used to denote this.

Example: What mark did you get? Only C+
4. A sign or symbol.

Example: a question mark
Thesaurus: symbol, emblem, sign, token, distinction, earmark, label, seal, stamp.
5. An indication or representation.

Example: a mark of respect
6. The position from which a competitor starts in a race. See also on your marks below.
7. An object or thing to be aimed at or striven for; a target or goal.

Example: It fell wide of the mark
Thesaurus: target, bull's eye, aim, goal, objective, prey.
8. A required or normal standard.

Example: up to the mark
9. An impression, distinguishing characteristic or influence.

Example: Your work bears his mark
Thesaurus: trait, characteristic, character, stamp, imprint, impression, idiosyncrasy, indication, hallmark, particularity.
10. Noteworthiness; distinction.

Example: someone of no mark
11. A cross or other sign used instead of a signature.

Example: Make your mark below
12a. rugby.
A mark made with the heel on the ground by a player on making a fair catch;
12b. rugby.
The act of making a fair catch within one's own 22-metre line and marking the spot where the catch was made, from where a free kick can be taken.
13. Applied especially to vehicles: a type of design; a model or issue. See also marque.

Example: driving a Jaguar Mark II
Form: Mark (often)
14. slang
A suitable victim for trickery, theft, etc.
Example: a soft mark

verb marked, marking

tr & intr
1. To spoil something with, or become spoiled by, a mark (noun 1).
2. To put a mark on something deliberately, for identification etc.

Thesaurus: brand, stamp, imprint, blaze, label, inscribe, seal, check off.
3a. To read, correct and award (a grade) to a piece of written work, etc;
3b. To allot a score to someone or something.
4. To show; to be a sign of something.

Example: events marking a new era
Example: X marks the spot
Thesaurus: characterize, distinguish, qualify, indicate, earmark, signify, denote, designate.
5. To make a note of something; to record it.

Form: mark something down (often)
6. To pay close attention to something.

Example: mark my words
7. sport.
To stay close to (an opposing player) in order to try and prevent them from getting or passing the ball.
8. To characterize or label someone or something.

Example: This incident marks him as a criminal

Derivative: marked

See separate entries.

Idiom: make one's mark (leave one's mark)

To make a strong or permanent impression.

Idiom: mark someone's card

To correct them, especially quickly and forcefully, when they are under a false impression; to put them right.

Idiom: mark time

To move the feet up and down as if marching, but without going forward.

Merely to keep things going, without making progress or speeding up.

Derivative: off the mark

Not on target; off the subject or target.

noun

Said of an athlete, etc: getting away from the mark ( 6) in a race, etc. See also quick off the mark at quick.
Example: slow off the mark

Idiom: on your marks (on your mark)

Said to the runners before a race begins: get into your position, ready for the starting command or signal.

Idiom: up to the mark

Said of work, etc: satisfactory; of a good standard.

Said of a person: fit and well.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon merc boundary or limit.

Phrasal Verb: mark someone down

To give them or their work a lower mark.
Example: had to mark him down for poor spelling

Phrasal Verb: mark something down

To reduce its price.
Example: a jacket marked down from £70 to £55
To note it.

Phrasal Verb: mark something off or out

To indicate on a list, etc that (an issue, point, etc) has been dealt with.To fix its boundaries or limits with marks of some kind.

Phrasal Verb: mark something out

To lay out its plans or outlines.

Phrasal Verb: mark something up

To increase its price; to make a profit for the seller on it. See also mark-up.

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marking
noun

1. A distinctive pattern of colours on an animal or plant.

Form: markings (often)
2. The act or process of giving marks (eg to school work) or making marks on something.