Mark Meaning
Mark Definition & Usage
A visible impression or symbol made on a surface to indicate something specific, such as a sign of recognition, success, or evaluation.
Examples
- "The teacher gave him a mark for his excellent essay."
- "He made a mark on the board to highlight the important point."
- "The company earned a mark of excellence for its customer service."
- "She left a mark on the table with her coffee cup."
- "The scar on his face was the mark of a difficult past."
To make a visible sign or symbol on something to indicate an evaluation, assessment, or recognition.
Examples
- "The examiner marked the test papers before returning them to the students."
- "She quickly marked the documents with a red pen."
- "The coach marked the best players for the final match."
- "He marked the spots where they found fossils."
- "Can you mark the correct answers on the sheet?"
A distinguishing characteristic or feature of someone or something.
Examples
- "Her kindness is a mark of her true character."
- "The car has a mark of luxury, with its leather seats and polished finish."
- "His name was a mark of respect in the academic community."
- "The team’s success is a mark of hard work and dedication."
- "The painting had the mark of a great artist."
Cultural Context
The word 'mark' has roots in both Old English and Proto-Germanic, originally referring to a boundary or a sign of something. Over time, its meaning expanded to include symbols, ratings, and impressions of various types. In contemporary usage, it is often associated with education (grading), personal achievements, and physical indications of an event or characteristic.
The Mark of Success
Story
The Mark of Success
In a quiet suburban town, Emma had always been an overachiever. She studied late into the night, obsessing over every detail of her schoolwork. One day, as she sat nervously in her classroom, her teacher, Mr. Allen, handed back their history essays. As he handed hers to her, she saw a large red 'A' on the top of the page—her hard work had finally paid off. The mark was a symbol of all her efforts, a tangible acknowledgment of her dedication. Emma smiled, but as she looked around, she saw her classmates glancing at her essay with admiration. They were impressed, not just by the grade, but by the mark of excellence that had been placed on it. 'You always do so well,' one of her friends remarked, her voice filled with genuine admiration. Later that day, Emma walked down the hallway, thinking about how far she'd come. She had once struggled with her confidence, unsure if her efforts were truly making a difference. Now, the marks on her papers were not just symbols of academic success, but reminders of her growth and resilience. But the mark that stuck with her the most was not on the paper. It was the small but meaningful mark of respect she received from Mr. Allen after class. 'I see how hard you've been working, Emma. Keep it up.' Those words felt like a personal achievement, a mark of recognition that meant more than any grade. As she walked home, she thought about all the different marks we carry with us. Some are visible, like the grades on papers, while others are less obvious, but just as significant—like the marks we leave on people's hearts and minds. Emma realized that success was not just about receiving marks on assignments; it was about leaving a positive mark on the world around her.
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