# marked

/ˈmɑɹkt/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/marked
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. noticeable

adjective · CEFR B2

very easy to notice or see.

For teachers: clearly evident, conspicuous, or noticeable in degree or intensity.

- There has been a marked improvement in your English since you started this course.
- The researchers observed a marked difference in the results between the control group and those receiving the new treatment.

### 2. having a physical mark

adjective · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: bearing a visible or identifying mark, label, or physical blemish.

- The boxes were clearly marked with the word 'Fragile' in red ink.
- The surveyor followed the trail of marked trees to determine the exact boundary of the private estate.

### 3. linguistics

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical · Academic

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

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

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

### 4. police vehicles

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- A marked police car was parked outside the bank to deter any trouble.
- The suspect failed to notice the unmarked vehicle following him, assuming only marked cruisers posed a threat to his escape.

### 5. singled out

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

singled out for bad treatment or watched closely by enemies.

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

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

## Examples

- The teacher marked the exams last night.
- The end of the war marked a new era of peace and economic growth for the region.
- 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.

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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.