ENGLISH
REFERENCE

marked

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈmɑɹkt// marked

v. to show where something is or to be a sign of a change. You can also use it to give a grade to a student's work.

v. to indicate a position or boundary; to characterise a specific point in time or a transition. Often used to describe the evaluation of academic assignments or the presence of a distinguishing feature.


SIMPLE

The teacher marked the exams last night.

CONTEXTUAL

The end of the war marked a new era of peace and economic growth for the region.

COMPLEX

While the first chapter establishes the historical setting, the second is marked by a sudden shift in tone that signals the protagonist's growing disillusionment with society.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology 1

From mark (“sign, characteristic, visible impression”) + -ed. Less common disyllabic pronunciation (/ˈmɑː.kɪd/) is likely an analogy derived from markedness (explaining its restriction to sense 2).

Etymology 2

From mark (verb senses) + -ed.

Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object. In British English, it is the standard term for grading student work.

Pitfall

The teacher marked about the mistakes.The teacher marked the mistakes.Marked is a transitive verb and does not require a preposition like 'about' before the object.

© 2026 English Reference