udmærket

Udmærket is a Danish adjective and adverb meaning that something is of high quality or in good order. When used before a noun, it conveys that the item or result is excellent or very good, for example: udmærket arbejde or et udmærket resultat. In the adverbial sense, as in Det går udmærket, it means that things are going well or satisfactorily.

Etymology and sense development: udmærket stems from the verb mærke (to mark, to distinguish) with the prefix ud-, which can add a sense of completion or outward distinction. The compound originally conveyed the idea of distinguishing something as notable, and over time it came to describe quality or performance as excellent rather than merely noticeable. The word is now a standard part of everyday Danish and is used across formal and informal registers.

Usage notes: udmærket is somewhat less strong than synonyms like fremragende or enestående, but it expresses a genuine positive evaluation. It is versatile and common in both spoken and written Danish. The related noun udmærkelse denotes a distinction or award, as in en udmærkelse for godt arbejde. Typical collocations include udmærket plan, udmærket tilbud, udmærket præstation og udmærket service. In everyday speech, udmærket can also imply adequacy that satisfies expectations rather than exceptional brilliance.

See also: udmærkelse (an award or distinction), mærke (mark or sign), synonymer such as fremragende, glimrende, enestående.