markup: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Formal Business
Quick answer
What does “markup” mean?
An amount added to the cost price of goods to determine the selling price.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An amount added to the cost price of goods to determine the selling price; the process of adding annotations or tags to a document.
In publishing, refers to the instructions in a manuscript for formatting. In web development, refers to code (like HTML/XML) that structures and annotates content. It can also mean the profit margin in business.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Business usage is identical. In computing, both use the term for languages like HTML (Hypertext Markup Language).
Connotations
Identical. Primarily technical or business-oriented, not colloquial.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties, driven by computing and business contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “markup” in a Sentence
[verb] + markup (e.g., 'apply a markup')[adjective] + markup (e.g., 'a 50% markup')markup + [noun] (e.g., 'markup percentage')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “markup” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They need to markup the goods before the sale.
- The editor will markup the manuscript for typesetting.
American English
- They need to mark up the goods before the sale.
- The editor will mark up the manuscript for typesetting.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- The markup rate is too high.
- She is a markup language specialist.
American English
- The markup rate is too high.
- She is a markup language specialist.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The standard markup on these accessories is 100%.
Academic
The study analysed the markup practices in retail sectors.
Everyday
I paid a huge markup buying it at the airport.
Technical
Valid XML requires properly nested markup.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “markup”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “markup”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “markup”
- Using 'markup' to mean 'makeup' (cosmetics).
- Confusing 'markup' with 'margin' (margin is profit/revenue, markup is cost-based).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun, it is one word ('markup'). As a verb phrase, it is two words ('to mark up').
Markup is calculated as a percentage of the cost price. Profit margin is calculated as a percentage of the selling price.
Yes, but as the phrasal verb 'to mark up' (e.g., 'They marked up the prices'). The one-word form 'markup' is a noun.
HTML, XML, and Markdown are among the most widely used markup languages for web and document formatting.
An amount added to the cost price of goods to determine the selling price.
Markup is usually technical / formal business in register.
Markup: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːkʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːrkʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a market stall owner writing a higher selling price ON the cost tag — marking up the price.
Conceptual Metaphor
ADDITION IS UP (price is marked up); STRUCTURE IS ANNOTATION (text is marked up with tags).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, 'markup' is best defined as: