# Marcos

/ˈmɑɹkoʊs/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/marcos
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. plural of currency

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

the plural form of 'marco', which was a unit of money used in countries like Portugal and Brazil.

For teachers: the plural form of the 'marco', a historical unit of currency and weight used in various European and Latin American countries.

- The merchant counted the marcos he had earned from selling the spices.
- Before the adoption of the modern currency system, these silver marcos were the primary medium of exchange in the region's maritime trade.

Usage: Used as the plural form of the Portuguese or Spanish 'marco'.

### 2. proper name

noun · CEFR B1

a common first name for men or a family name in Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries.

For teachers: a male given name or surname of Spanish and Portuguese origin, corresponding to the English name Mark.

- Marcos is coming over for dinner with his family tonight.
- The historical archives contain several references to the Marcos family, who were influential landowners in the province during the nineteenth century.

Usage: Capitalized as a proper noun.

## Examples

- He found some old German marcos in a drawer.
- Before the adoption of the Euro in 2002, travelers in Germany would pay for their goods using Deutsche marcos.
- The transition to a unified European currency required the withdrawal of billions of marcos from circulation, marking the end of a significant era in German economic history.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.