Word
watermark
Phoneticswa·ter·mark, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈwɔtɝˌmɑɹk/
UK/wˈɔːtəmˌɑːk/
Definition
n. a mark or pattern that appears on a digital image or document to show that it is a copy. It is often used to protect the original work from being stolen.
n. a visible or invisible mark or pattern embedded in a digital file to identify its source or ownership. Often used in the context of copyright protection or to indicate that a file has been altered.
Examples
“The photo has a small watermark in the corner.”
“The photographer added a transparent watermark to every image before uploading them to the public gallery.”
“Digital watermarking allows creators to embed unique identifiers within audio and video files without affecting the overall quality, providing a legal trail for intellectual property disputes.”
Examples
simple
“The photo has a small watermark in the corner.”
contextual
“The photographer added a transparent watermark to every image before uploading them to the public gallery.”
complex
“Digital watermarking allows creators to embed unique identifiers within audio and video files without affecting the overall quality, providing a legal trail for intellectual property disputes.”
Real-World Examples
“Others spotted what looked like AI watermarks embedded within the source files.” “Developer Anthropic has announced the text output of Claude (one of the five big AI tools) will include a hidden label or watermark indicating the text is AI-generated.” Etymology
From water + mark.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/watermark