French word

démarquer

Pronunciation

IPA/demaʁke/

Meaning

  • verbstand out

Example

Il s'est démarqué pendant la réunion.

He stood out during the meeting.

Illustration for démarquer (stand out)

More examples

Sur le terrain, il se démarque par sa vitesse.

On the field, he stands out for his speed.

Core concept

One figure or label pulled visually away from its surroundings and made more noticeable.

Common phrases

  • se démarquer du lot

    stand out from the crowd

Similar words

se distinguer: To stand out through actions or achievements that earn recognition.
se faire remarquer: To attract attention through one's manner or appearance.
ressortir: To stand out clearly from a background through color or shape.

Definition in French

Se démarquer veut dire se faire remarquer en prenant une place distincte dans un groupe ; sans « se », démarquer peut rendre un objet plus visible ou servir à indiquer une réduction de prix.

Word origin

French formed démarquer from dé- and marquer; the prefix adds separation to the idea of marking, while the price-cutting sense comes from marking an item down.

Usage tips

  • Without se, démarquer takes a direct object, as in démarquer un article, whereas se démarquer describes the subject standing out.

Other meanings

  • mark downverb
  • highlightverb

Opposites

  • se fondreblend inverb

Related words

  • démarquagemarkdownnoun
  • démarquéconspicuousadjective

Word lists with this word