bookmark: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal in digital contexts; formal use is less common.
Quick answer
What does “bookmark” mean?
A physical or digital placeholder used to save a location, especially in a book or on a web page.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A physical or digital placeholder used to save a location, especially in a book or on a web page.
Something used to mark or save a position, concept, or moment for future reference or return. Can refer to physical objects (e.g., in a book), digital references (e.g., browser bookmarks), or a metaphorical action of noting something important.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. Both use the same spelling.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be heard in digital/tech contexts.
Frequency
Equal frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “bookmark” in a Sentence
[Subject] bookmarks [Object] (e.g., I bookmarked the page).[Subject] uses/saves [Object] as a bookmark.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bookmark” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I need to bookmark that train timetable site.
- Did you bookmark the BBC news article?
American English
- Bookmark the YouTube tutorial for later.
- She bookmarked the Google Doc with the notes.
adverb
British English
- N/A (not standard)
American English
- N/A (not standard)
adjective
British English
- N/A (not standard)
American English
- N/A (not standard)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in project management or research to denote saving key information sources. 'Bookmark the competitor's pricing page for the report.'
Academic
Used for saving research papers, online journals, or specific passages in digital texts.
Everyday
Common for saving websites, videos, or marking a page in a physical book. 'I'll bookmark that recipe.'
Technical
Refers to a saved URL in a browser's memory or a specific data structure in programming.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bookmark”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bookmark”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bookmark”
- Using 'bookmark' as a verb for physical books (rare, 'I bookmarked the page' is digital).
- Confusing 'bookmark' with 'bookmarklet' (a small browser application).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun, especially in physical contexts. However, the verb form is extremely common in digital/tech language.
In web browsers, they are functionally identical. 'Bookmark' is the more universal, technical term. 'Favourite/favorite' is a branding term used by some browsers (e.g., Internet Explorer, Edge) but means the same thing.
Yes, especially in a digital or research context. For example, 'I've bookmarked the key sources on slide 15 for your reference.' It is considered standard professional vocabulary in tech and academia.
The standard past tense and past participle is 'bookmarked' (e.g., 'I bookmarked it yesterday').
A physical or digital placeholder used to save a location, especially in a book or on a web page.
Bookmark: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbʊkmɑːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbʊkmɑrk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A bookmark in time (rare, metaphorical).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BOOK and how you MARK your place in it.
Conceptual Metaphor
SAVING A LOCATION IS PUTTING A MARKER ON IT. / REMEMBERING IS MARKING.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'bookmark' in modern English?