# marker

/ˈmɑɹkɝ/ (US) · /mˈɑːkɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/marker
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a felt-tip pen

noun · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. an indicator or sign

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. a person who grades

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. a favor owed

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. sports defender

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 6. to use a marker pen

verb · CEFR B2

to write or draw on something using a marker pen.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- Use a red marker to highlight the important dates.
- The hikers placed a pile of stones as a marker to help them find the trail on their way back.
- The sudden increase in specific protein levels served as a biological marker for the early onset of the disease, allowing doctors to intervene before symptoms appeared.

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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.