Unmarked

Unmarked is a descriptive term used across disciplines to indicate the absence of markers that would signal a particular category, feature, or identity. It often denotes a default, neutral, or unspecified state, contrasted with marked forms that carry explicit information through affixes, labels, or other indicators.

In linguistics, unmarked forms lack explicit grammatical markers for features such as tense, number, gender, case, or mood. For example, in English the base verb form used with most subjects is unmarked for person and number, while the third-person singular present is marked with the suffix -s. Similarly, many singular nouns are unmarked for number, with plural forms typically marked by -s or another plural ending. Some languages also feature unmarked or default gender or case forms, with marked forms signaling deviation from the default.

In sociolinguistics and semantics, unmarked terms are often interpreted as neutral or generic, whereas marked terms convey additional social information such as gender, formality, or prestige. The choice between marked and unmarked language can influence perceived inclusivity or bias, and discussions about terminology frequently address which forms are appropriate in different contexts.

In law enforcement and policy discussions, an unmarked vehicle refers to a car without visible official markings, used for undercover or investigative work. While this can aid certain operational objectives, it also raises debates about transparency, safety, and public trust, with rules about its use varying by jurisdiction.

Other everyday uses include unmarked graves, which lack a visible tombstone or marker, and unmarked routes or features in mapping, where markers have not been placed. The term thus spans technical, social, and logistical contexts.