earmark
ear·mark/ˈɪ(ə)ɹˌmɑɹk/noun, verb
earmark is spelled E-A-R-M-A-R-K: 7 letters and 2 syllables (ear·mark). It appears about once in every 6 million words in written English, the 71,529th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, earmark means “A mark made or tag attached to the ear of an animal (chiefly a livestock animal), generally to identify or indicate something about the animal, such…” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of earmark is earmarks.
How many letters and syllables are in earmark?
| Letters | 7: E-A-R-M-A-R-K |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2: ear·mark |
| In writing | about once in every 6 million words; the 71,529th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is earmark?
Earmark appears about once in every 6 million words in written English, the 71,529th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce earmark?
- UK /ˈɪəmɑːk/
- US /ˈɪ(ə)ɹˌmɑɹk/
Earmark has 2 syllables, split ear·mark in writing.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-us-earmark.ogg, LL-Q1860_(eng)-Naomi_Persephone_Amethyst_(NaomiAmethyst)-earmark.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of earmark
- earmarks plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- earmarking participle, present
- earmarked participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does earmark mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
A mark made or tag attached to the ear of an animal (chiefly a livestock animal), generally to identify or indicate something about the animal, such as ownership, health or gestation status, etc.
- 2
A distinguishing or identifying mark or sign; specifically (archaic), a mark of ownership.
- 3
An act of designating certain funds to be used for a specific purpose.
- 4
USSpecifically, a designation by the Congress that certain federal funds be appropriated for a specific project.
verb
- 1
To make a mark or attach a tag to the ear of (an animal, chiefly a livestock animal), generally to identify or indicate something about the animal, such as ownership.
- 2
To put a distinguishing or identifying mark or sign on (something); to make (something) distinctive or identifiable.
- 3
To designate or set aside (someone or something) for a particular purpose; to allocate.
- 4
Chiefly followed by for: to designate (certain funds) to be used for a specific purpose.
You can donate to the organization as a whole, or you can earmark your contribution for a particular project.
- 5
UKTo designate (part of a pension) to be payable to the holder's former spouse or payment when the pension is paid.
- 6
USOf the Congress: to designate that certain federal funds be appropriated for a specific project.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Earmark in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| Spanish | asignación, destino, reserva , apartar, asignar, destinar |
| French | allouer, réserver |
| German | bestimmen |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does earmark come from?
The noun is derived from ear + mark. The verb is derived from the noun.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).