Marking
/ˈmɑːrkɪŋ/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo put a symbol or sign on something, often to identify or differentiate it.
/ˈmɑːrkɪŋ/
To make a symbol or sign on something.
The teacher is marking the student's assignments.
💡 Simply: It's like drawing on paper to show where to go, like when you 'mark' your place in a book or on a map. Imagine you're playing hide-and-seek and you 'mark' the tree where you will hide.
👶 For kids: To make a special sign or dot on something so you remember it or know where it is.
More Examples
He marked his property with a fence.
She is marking the boundaries of the playing field with cones.
How It's Used
"She is marking the test papers."
"The defender was marking the striker closely."
To serve as an indicator or a signal of something, often a change or event.
/ˈmɑːrkɪŋ/
To indicate or show something; to be a sign of.
The recent promotion marked a significant achievement in her career.
💡 Simply: When something 'marks' something else, it means it shows or indicates it. Like the black clouds 'mark' that a storm is coming or the score 'marks' who is winning.
👶 For kids: To show that something is happening or is going to happen. Like the dark clouds 'mark' that rain is coming.
More Examples
Her success marked the beginning of a new era.
The incident marked a turning point in the investigation.
How It's Used
"The drop in sales is marking a decline in the company's performance."
"The scar marked his face, a permanent reminder of his past."
To assess or evaluate something according to certain criteria.
/ˈmɑːrkɪŋ/
To assess or grade something.
The teacher is marking the essays.
💡 Simply: When you're 'marking' something, it's like checking to see how good something is or how well someone has done on a test. Teachers 'mark' your tests to tell you your score.
👶 For kids: To check and give a score or grade to something, like a test or a drawing.
More Examples
The judges were marking the gymnast's routine.
The project will be marked on originality and creativity.
How It's Used
"The professor spent the weekend marking exam papers."
"Judges were marking the artistic performances."
A visible characteristic, usually on the surface of something.
/ˈmɑːrkɪŋ/
A visible or noticeable feature.
The zebra's markings helped it blend in with the tall grass.
💡 Simply: A 'marking' is a unique spot or sign that helps us notice something. Like the spots on a ladybug are its 'markings' or the lines on a map.
👶 For kids: A special spot, line, or color on something that makes it different from other things.
More Examples
The artist focused on the delicate markings on the birds.
The unusual markings on the rock suggested it was of ancient origin.
How It's Used
"The animal had distinctive markings on its fur."
"The designer paid close attention to the car's aesthetic markings."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
mark time
To wait or remain inactive, often doing repetitive actions, until an event occurs or until an opportunity arises.
"The company was just marking time until the new product was released."
mark my words
Used to emphasize that what one is saying will happen or is true.
"Mark my words, he will regret this decision."
From Middle English merken, from Old English mearcian ('to mark, brand'), from Proto-Germanic *markōną ('to mark, border'). Related to 'mark'.
The word 'marking' has been used in English since the Old English period with similar meanings to the current usage.
Memory tip
Think of leaving a 'mark' to remember something.
Word Origin
"To mark, border, sign"