# mark /ˈmɑɹk/ (US) · /mˈɑːk/ (UK) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mark Updated: 2026-08-15 ## Senses ### 1. a visible sign noun · CEFR A2 a small area of dirt, a scratch, or a line on a surface. For teachers: a visible impression or trace on a surface, such as a stain, scratch, or scar. - There was a dark coffee mark on the white carpet. - The removalists were careful, yet they still left a faint scuff mark on the hardwood floor near the entrance. ### 2. a school grade noun · CEFR A2 · British English a number or letter that shows how well you did on a test or school work. For teachers: a unit of evaluation representing the proficiency or score achieved in an examination or assignment. - She was very happy because she got a high mark in her English exam. - Students who fail to meet the minimum mark required for the module must attend a mandatory review session before the final assessment. ### 3. a target noun · CEFR B1 a target that you try to hit when shooting or throwing. For teachers: a target or goal, often used figuratively to describe a level of accuracy or success. - The arrow hit the mark exactly in the center. - The CEO's speech was well-received, but critics argued his financial projections were wide of the mark. ### 4. a victim of a scam noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang a person who is chosen to be tricked or cheated by a criminal. For teachers: the intended victim of a swindle, scam, or confidence trick. - The con artist spent weeks watching the mark before making a move. - The pickpockets operated in pairs, with one distracting the mark while the other reached for the wallet. ### 5. to write or label verb · CEFR A2 to write or put a sign on something so you can recognize it. For teachers: to put a visible sign or character on an object for identification or information. - Please mark your luggage with your name and phone number. - The archaeologists carefully marked each fragment with a unique code before transporting them to the laboratory for analysis. ### 6. to grade work verb · CEFR A2 · British English to look at a student's work and give it a score or correct the mistakes. For teachers: to evaluate and correct written work, assigning a grade or score. - The teacher stayed late to mark the history essays. - The professor spent the entire weekend marking final examinations to ensure the results were posted before the holiday break. ### 7. to celebrate or signify verb · CEFR B1 to show that an event is important by doing something special. For teachers: to acknowledge or celebrate a significant event or anniversary; to serve as a sign of something. - A parade was held to mark the city's 100th birthday. - The signing of the treaty marks a significant turning point in the diplomatic relations between the two nations. ### 8. to guard a player verb · CEFR B2 to stay close to an opponent in a game to stop them from getting the ball. For teachers: to stay close to an opposing player to prevent them from receiving the ball or playing effectively. - The defender was told to mark the star striker very closely. - The coach instructed the midfielders to mark their opponents tightly to disrupt the flow of the visiting team's passing game. ### 9. to damage a surface verb · CEFR B1 to spoil the look of something by scratching it or making it dirty. For teachers: to spoil the appearance of a surface by creating an unwanted trace or blemish. - Be careful not to mark the table with your heavy boots. - The soft lead of the pencil easily marked the delicate vellum, requiring the artist to work with extreme precision. ### 10. oven temperature noun · CEFR B2 · British English a number on a gas oven that shows how hot it is. For teachers: a specific setting on a gas oven scale indicating the temperature. - Bake the cake at gas mark 4 for forty-five minutes. - The recipe required the oven to be preheated to gas mark 6, which is approximately 200 degrees Celsius. ## Examples - There is a black mark on your shirt. - The wet glass left a circular mark on the wooden table. - The ancient manuscript bore the marks of centuries of handling, its pages softened and stained by countless readers. --- 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.