marking

marking — noun

1. the colours, spots, or lines that grow naturally on the skin, fur, or feathers o

1.nounB1
Definition

the colours, spots, or lines that grow naturally on the skin, fur, or feathers of an animal and help to identify the species or the individual creature.

Example

The leopard's dark spots form a natural marking that helps it hide in the grass.

natural marking pattern on animal fur or skin

Each tiger has a unique stripe pattern in its fur marking, like a human fingerprint.

Common collocations
  • distinctive markings
  • dark markings
  • bold markings
  • body markings
  • fur markings
  • wing markings
  • facial markings
Synonyms
  • pattern

    broader term used for any repeating design, not limited to animals

  • stripe

    a specific type of marking that is long and narrow, like on a tiger

  • spot

    a single round marking, like on a leopard or dalmatian

Grammar Patterns

marking + on + noun phrase

marking of + noun phrase

Usage Note

Almost always appears in the plural form 'markings' when describing animal patterns — a single patch of colour is called a 'mark' or 'spot', not a 'marking'.

Common Mistakes

The snake has a beautiful marking on its back.
The snake has beautiful markings on its back.
Use the plural 'markings' when describing the overall pattern on an animal.

2. a line, symbol, or coloured area placed on a surface such as a road, product, or

2.nounB1
Definition

a line, symbol, or coloured area placed on a surface such as a road, product, or piece of equipment in order to give directions, show ownership, or provide information.

Example

White road markings tell drivers when it is safe to overtake another car.

road marking / lane marking system

Mert checked the marking on the back of the device to find the model number.

marking + on + surface for location

Common collocations
  • road markings
  • lane markings
  • runway markings
  • safety markings
  • warning markings
  • coloured markings
Synonyms
  • symbol

    a broader term for any shape that stands for something else

  • sign

    typically refers to a posted board or notice rather than a painted line

  • label

    a printed tag or sticker, usually on a product or container

Grammar Patterns

marking + on + noun phrase

marking + for + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often appears in compound nouns such as 'road marking', 'lane marking', or 'runway marking' to specify the type of surface or purpose.

Common Mistakes

The road marking were faded and hard to see.
The road markings were faded and hard to see.
This sense is almost always used in the plural when referring to systems of road or safety lines.

3. the work of reading a student's written answer or essay, finding mistakes, and g

3.nounB1
Definition

the work of reading a student's written answer or essay, finding mistakes, and giving a score or comment, typically done by a teacher.

Example

Teachers often spend their weekends doing marking for the exams held during the week.

uncountable noun: doing marking / finish marking

Meera finished the marking of thirty essays before the parent-teacher meeting on Monday.

Common collocations
  • do marking
  • finish marking
  • exam marking
  • essay marking
  • fair marking
  • heavy marking load
  • marking scheme
Synonyms
  • grading

    the standard term in American English for the same activity

  • assessment

    a broader term that includes other forms of evaluation besides written work

Grammar Patterns

do + marking

marking + of + plural noun

Usage Note

Used as an uncountable noun in educational contexts, particularly in British English. In American English, 'grading' is more common for this sense.

Common Mistakes

The teacher has many markings to do tonight.
The teacher has a lot of marking to do tonight.
In this sense, 'marking' is uncountable — do not add an 's' or use 'many'.

4. in sports like football or basketball, a defensive tactic where one player keeps

4.nounB2
Definition

in sports like football or basketball, a defensive tactic where one player keeps close beside an opponent to block passes and prevent shots at goal.

Example

The coach told Anong to focus on marking the other team's best midfielder.

sports tactic: tight marking / man-to-man marking

Good marking in football requires staying between your opponent and your own goal.

Common collocations
  • tight marking
  • close marking
  • man-to-man marking
  • zonal marking
  • defensive marking
  • marking duty
Synonyms
  • guarding

    the equivalent term used in American sports like basketball

  • cover

    used in team tactics, often for zone coverage in American football

Grammar Patterns

marking + of + noun phrase

man-to-man marking

zonal marking

Usage Note

A technical term in British football (soccer) and other team sports. In American English, 'guarding' is preferred for basketball and similar sports.

Common Mistakes

The defender made a good marking on the forward.
The defender did a good job of marking the forward.
'Marking' in sports is an uncountable activity, not a countable action you 'make'.

5. the act or process of leaving a visible trace on a surface by writing, drawing,

5.nounB2
Definition

the act or process of leaving a visible trace on a surface by writing, drawing, cutting, or pressing, especially when done for a practical purpose such as measuring, guiding, or recording.

Example

The worker checked the marking on the wall before putting up the new shelf.

act of leaving a visible trace for a practical purpose

Min watched the child's careful marking of the paper with a thick blue crayon.

Common collocations
  • ancient markings
  • surface markings
  • initial marking
  • careful marking
  • carved markings
  • painted markings
Synonyms
  • scoring

    specifically means making a cut or line on a hard surface to guide cutting

  • imprint

    a mark made by pressing something into a softer surface

  • etching

    a design cut into a hard surface using acid or a sharp tool

Grammar Patterns

marking + of + noun phrase

marking + on + noun phrase

Usage Note

Distinct from 'mark' (a single visible trace) — 'marking' emphasizes the process, system, or set of traces. When countable, it usually appears in the plural.

Common Mistakes

There is a marking on the floor where I dropped my coffee.
There is a mark on the floor where I dropped my coffee.
For a single accidental stain or trace, use 'mark' rather than 'marking'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Marking refers to the overall arrangement of colours or marks on an animal's body that helps identify the species or individual. A pattern is a broader term — any repeating design on any surface, not just animals. A stripe is a long, narrow band of colour, like the black lines on a tiger or zebra. A spot is a small, round area of colour, like the dots on a leopard or ladybird. Speckle describes many tiny spots scattered across a surface, such as the speckles on a bird's egg or a trout's back. Use 'marking' when talking about the whole visual system that makes an animal recognisable: 'The butterfly's wing markings included both orange spots and black-edged stripes.' Use 'pattern' for the way marks are arranged: 'The snake's diamond pattern was clearly visible on its back.'

pattern ↗stripe ↗spot ↗speckle

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • set of markings
  • marking system

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Marking comes from the verb 'mark', which traces back to Old English 'mearc', meaning a boundary, sign, or limit. The '-ing' suffix turns the action of marking into a noun describing either the process or the result. The word 'mearc' shares its roots with Old High German 'marha' (boundary) and ultimately comes from the Proto-Indo-European root '*merg-', meaning 'boundary' or 'border'. The sense of making a visible trace on a surface developed early, and by the 19th century, 'marking' was well established for natural patterns on animals and for the system of painted lines on roads.