marqué

Marqué is the past participle of the French verb marquer, and it also functions as an adjective. The basic masculine singular form is marqué; feminine singular is marquée; masculine plural is marqués; feminine plural is marquées. When used as an attribute, it describes something that bears a mark or stands out in some way.

In everyday French, marqué commonly means marked, noticeable, or distinctive. For example, on décrit un goût marqué (a pronounced taste) or une personnalité marquée (a distinctive personality). The term can also denote something that shows evidence or imprint, such as a decisive or clear influence that leaves a mark.

In a technical or scholarly context, marqué is used in linguistics and related fields to refer to forms that carry a grammatical or lexical distinction, in contrast to unmarked forms. This usage aligns with the broader concept of marked versus unmarked features in morphology and syntax.

In branding and marketing language, marqué can describe something that bears a brand or trademark, i.e., a branded product or a marked identity. The sense emphasizes the presence of a brand marking rather than the physical marking itself.

Marqué also functions as a surname in some French-speaking regions. As with many French participles used as adjectives, its spelling and gender agreement follow standard rules (marqué, marquée, marqués, marquées).

Overall, marqué is a flexible French term linking marking, distinction, and branding, and it appears across everyday language, academic discourse, and proper names.