English Reference

Word

marker

Phoneticsmark·er, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈmɑɹkɝ/

UK/mˈɑːkɐ/

Definitions

01a felt-tip pen

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

n. a thick pen with a tip made of felt, used for writing or drawing.

n. a felt-tipped drawing or writing instrument, typically containing its own ink source.

“He used a red marker to circle the mistakes on the poster.”

“The architect used permanent markers to create a bold outline on the presentation board before adding finer details with a technical pen.”

Synonyms

felt-tiphighlighter

02an indicator or sign

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. an object or sign that shows the position of something or acts as a signal.

n. an object, sign, or characteristic that serves to identify a position, boundary, or specific quality.

“The hikers left a pile of stones as a marker for the trail.”

“The sudden drop in temperature served as a biological marker for the changing seasons, prompting the local wildlife to begin their migration.”

03a person who grades

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun British English

n. a person who reads and gives points to exam papers or essays.

n. an individual responsible for assessing and assigning grades to examination scripts or academic assignments.

“The exam marker was very strict and didn't give many high scores.”

“The external marker noted that while the students demonstrated strong theoretical knowledge, their practical application of the concepts remained inconsistent.”

Synonyms

04a favor owed

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal · Slang

n. a favor that you owe someone, or that someone owes you.

n. a figurative or literal debt of honor or a personal favor owed to another party.

“I helped him get that job, so I'm calling in a marker now.”

“The senator decided to call in a few markers from his colleagues to ensure the controversial bill passed the committee stage.”

Synonyms

05sports defender

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Sports

n. a player whose job is to stay close to an opponent to stop them from playing well.

n. a defensive player assigned to guard or track a specific offensive opponent.

“The striker managed to get away from his marker and score a goal.”

“The coach instructed the wing-back to act as a tight marker, ensuring the opponent's star playmaker had no space to operate.”

Synonyms

06to use a marker pen

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to write or draw on something using a marker pen.

v. to apply ink to a surface using a felt-tipped instrument.

“Please marker your name on the box so we don't lose it.”

“The warehouse staff were instructed to marker each crate with a unique identification number before loading them onto the freight ship.”

Synonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “marker” in context.

Verb

01. act as a marker

“The tall oak tree acts as a marker for the boundary of our property.”

verb + prep + noun

02. leave a marker

“The hikers decided to leave a marker on the trail to help them find their way back.”

verb + noun

03. use a permanent marker

“Please use a permanent marker to label your boxes so the ink doesn't smudge.”

verb + adj + noun

Adjective

04. external marker

“The university brings in an external marker to ensure the final exams are graded fairly.”

adj + noun

05. felt-tip marker

“She used a bright blue felt-tip marker to highlight the important dates in her diary.”

adj + noun

Noun

06. marker of success

“In many cultures, owning a home is seen as a primary marker of success.”

noun + of + noun

07. mile marker

“We realized we were lost when we hadn't seen a mile marker for over ten minutes.”

noun + noun

Preposition

08. as a marker

“He used a small stone as a marker to keep his place in the book.”

prep + noun

Real-World Examples

“If they pick up the chemical markers of a meal, these units oscillate faster, in turn causing the cell’s protoplasm to flow more thickly towards that area.”
The Guardian 8 Sept 2026
“Valk therefore investigated whether oysters at different sexual stages have different chemical markers on their DNA.”
Phys.org 26 Aug 2026

Etymology

From mark + -er.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Idioms

Domains

BiologyFilmLawLinguisticsMedicineMilitarySportsTheater

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
Updated

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English Reference