Marked: Highlighting the Conspicuous and Distinct
Explore the meaning and usage of the GRE vocabulary word ‘marked,’ which describes something that is clearly noticeable, pronounced, or conspicuous. Learn how to use this word effectively in your writing and conversations.
Have you ever noticed how some people or things stand out from the crowd? They’re impossible to ignore, almost as if they’ve been highlighted or tagged for attention.
That’s exactly what we’re exploring today with our GRE vocabulary word: marked.
Word type: Marked is primarily used as an adjective, though it can also function as the past tense and past participle of the verb “to mark.”
Meaning: When we say something is marked, we’re referring to it being clearly noticeable, pronounced, or conspicuous.
It’s a way of describing something that’s easily observed or recognized, often because it’s significantly different from its surroundings or from what’s considered normal.
Word history: The word “marked” comes from the Old English “mearcian,” meaning to put a sign or mark on something.
Over time, its usage expanded to describe anything that stands out or is notably different.
Antonyms:
Some antonyms for marked include subtle, inconspicuous, unremarkable, and indistinct. These words all describe things that don’t stand out or draw attention to themselves.
Synonyms: Synonyms for marked include noticeable, obvious, evident, pronounced, distinct, and conspicuous.
All these words convey the idea of something being clearly apparent or standing out.
Examples use in sentences:
There was a marked improvement in her performance after she started working with a tutor. The two siblings had a marked resemblance to each other, making it easy to tell they were related.
The scientist observed a marked difference in the behavior of the experimental group compared to the control group.
Common errors in use: One common mistake is confusing “marked” with “remarkable.” While both words can describe something noteworthy, “marked” specifically emphasizes that something is clearly noticeable or distinct, while “remarkable” suggests that something is worthy of notice or extraordinary.
In your GRE preparation and beyond, keep an eye out for the word “marked.” You’ll find it’s a useful term for describing significant changes, differences, or characteristics that are impossible to overlook.
By incorporating this word into your vocabulary, you’ll be able to express yourself with greater precision and sophistication in your writing and conversations.
