pockmark: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-mediumNeutral to formal, often used in medical, descriptive, or literary contexts.
Quick answer
What does “pockmark” mean?
A small hollow scar on the skin, typically caused by acne, chickenpox, or a similar disease.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small hollow scar on the skin, typically caused by acne, chickenpox, or a similar disease; a similar mark or pit on any surface.
To cover or scar with hollow marks or pits; figuratively, to mark or scar something abstract (like a landscape or a reputation) with numerous blemishes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The term is more commonly encountered in medical or descriptive writing than in casual conversation in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries negative connotations of damage, disease, or spoilage. It can evoke a sense of ruin or disfigurement.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English in journalistic contexts describing landscapes scarred by war or industrial activity.
Grammar
How to Use “pockmark” in a Sentence
[surface] + be + pockmarked + with + [agent (e.g., craters, scars)][agent (e.g., shrapnel, disease)] + pockmarked + [surface]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pockmark” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The artillery shelling pockmarked the fields for miles around.
- Years of neglect had pockmarked the façade of the old building.
American English
- The asteroid impact pockmarked the lunar surface.
- Her teenage acne severely pockmarked her cheeks.
adjective
British English
- The pockmarked cement made the playground look derelict.
- He had a pockmarked complexion from a childhood illness.
American English
- They drove across the pockmarked road, swerving to avoid the deepest holes.
- The pockmarked metal suggested it had been exposed to severe corrosion.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically: 'The company's reputation was pockmarked by scandals.'
Academic
Common in medical, dermatological, geological, and historical texts describing surfaces, skin conditions, or bombarded landscapes.
Everyday
Used to describe severe acne scarring or a badly damaged surface (e.g., a wall, a car).
Technical
Used in dermatology (acne vulgaris sequelae), geology (pitted surfaces), and forensics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pockmark”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “pockmark”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pockmark”
- Using 'pockmark' to refer to a flat scar or birthmark (it must be indented).
- Confusing 'pockmark' (noun) with 'pockmarked' (adjective) – 'His face had pockmarks' vs. 'His face was pockmarked'.
- Misspelling as 'pock-mark' (hyphenated form is archaic).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while the primary meaning relates to skin, it is commonly extended to any surface that is scarred or pitted, like landscapes, walls, or metal.
A 'scar' is the general term for any mark left by healed injury. A 'pockmark' is a specific type of scar that is sunken or pitted.
Yes, commonly. 'To pockmark' means to cover something with pockmarks (e.g., 'Shrapnel pockmarked the tank'). The past participle 'pockmarked' is frequently used as an adjective.
It is a factual, descriptive term but can be perceived as insensitive or harsh if used directly to describe a person's appearance in a casual context. More appropriate in medical or formal descriptive settings.
A small hollow scar on the skin, typically caused by acne, chickenpox, or a similar disease.
Pockmark is usually neutral to formal, often used in medical, descriptive, or literary contexts. in register.
Pockmark: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɒk.mɑːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɑːk.mɑːrk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'pocket' + 'mark' – a mark that looks like a small pocket or hollow in the skin.
Conceptual Metaphor
DAMAGE IS A SURFACE DEFECT; A HISTORY OF TROUBLE IS PHYSICAL SCARRING.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a pockmark?