ENGLISH
REFERENCE

marked

adj.
US //ˈmɑɹkt// marked
  1. 1 noticeable (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    very easy to notice or see.

    clearly evident, conspicuous, or noticeable in degree or intensity.

    Example

    There has been a marked improvement in your English since you started this course.

    Example

    The researchers observed a marked difference in the results between the control group and those receiving the new treatment.
  2. 2 having a physical mark (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    having a visible sign, label, or stain on the surface.

    bearing a visible or identifying mark, label, or physical blemish.

    Example

    The boxes were clearly marked with the word 'Fragile' in red ink.

    Example

    The surveyor followed the trail of marked trees to determine the exact boundary of the private estate.
Show 3 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 linguistics (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Academic Science

    a word or sound that is more complex or unusual than the basic form.

    distinguished from the base or neutral form by a specific feature, such as a suffix or a particular sound.

    Example

    In English, the plural 'cats' is marked by the letter 's', while the singular 'cat' is not.

    Example

    The linguist argued that the feminine form is often the marked member of the pair in many Indo-European languages.

    Usage

    Used to contrast a complex form with a simpler, 'unmarked' default form.
  2. 4 police vehicles (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a police car that has official signs and lights on it.

    referring to a vehicle, typically for law enforcement, that displays official livery and identification.

    Example

    A marked police car was parked outside the bank to deter any trouble.

    Example

    The suspect failed to notice the unmarked vehicle following him, assuming only marked cruisers posed a threat to his escape.
  3. 5 singled out (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    singled out for bad treatment or watched closely by enemies.

    singled out as a target for suspicion, hostility, or vengeance.

    Example

    After he spoke to the police, he knew he was a marked man in his neighborhood.

    Example

    Having betrayed the cartel, the informant lived the rest of his life as a marked man, constantly moving to avoid detection.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the phrase 'a marked man'.
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.

Word family

© 2026 English Reference