markedness

M3A1R1K5E1D2N1E1S1S1

noun

The quality of a word, form or phoneme that is considered to be more complicated, less natural or stranger than the usual form.

“Using the word "comedienne" instead of "comedian" can be seen as an example of markedness.”

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Meanings

nounmarkedness (countable and uncountable, plural markednesses)

plural markednesses

  1. countableuncountablehuman sciencesThe quality of a word, form or phoneme that is considered to be more complicated, less natural or stranger than the usual form.

    Using the word "comedienne" instead of "comedian" can be seen as an example of markedness.

Origin

From marked + -ness.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish tunnusmerkillisyys
  • tunnusmerkillisyysquality of being more complicated
Cite this entry
APA

markedness. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/markedness

MLA

“markedness.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/markedness. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “markedness,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/markedness.

Source: markedness on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.