Remark

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ɹɪˈmɑɹk/

Definitions

  1. A spoken comment or assertion is often made to convey an opinion or insight | An uttered observation tends to reflect a viewpoint or provide information | A verbal expression can serve to highlight a situation or analyze a topic
  2. A statement made to express an opinion or insight can also serve to draw attention or highlight a subject | An utterance intended to convey a thought or perspective can additionally serve to emphasize or illustrate a matter | A commentary expressed verbally may aim to reflect a viewpoint or provide clarity on an issue or theme
  3. A communicated observation may offer a personal perspective or insight while also intending to highlight or comment on a specific subject matter

Etymology: This word entered English in the late Middle Ages, around the 15th century, evolving from the verb form before it became a noun as well. It is formed from the prefix "re-" meaning "again" or "back," combined with "mark," which originally meant a sign, boundary, or indication. The literal sense was to "mark again" or to notice and point out something by making a distinguishing sign or comment. The verb initially carried the sense of noticing or observing something noteworthy, often with the idea of making a mental or physical note of it. Over time, this shifted to include the act of expressing a comment or observation aloud—an external marking rather than just an internal one. From this verbal action, the noun naturally arose, referring to the comment or observation itself. Both the verb and the noun share this common root in marking or noting, which connects to a broader network of English words relating to signs and indications, such as "remarkable" (worthy of notice) and "marker" (something that marks). The evolution from a concrete idea of a physical mark to the more abstract sense of making a verbal comment illustrates a common pathway in English where tangible actions become metaphorical expressions. By the early modern period, the word was well established not only to mean making a casual or formal comment but also to indicate a more deliberate act of pointing out or drawing attention to something. This dual function as both noun and verb endures in contemporary usage, keeping the sense of drawing attention, whether by speaking or by the idea of signs.

Synonyms: comment, observation, statement

Antonyms: silence, reticence