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Glite Dictionary
exclamation mark

exclamation mark

3 1.1
A mark at the end of a sentence that shows strong feeling or a loud command
  • noun
  • /ˌɛkskləˈmeɪʃən mɑrk/
  • UK
translation icon : signo de exclamación
  • Exclamation marks intensify expressivity, signifying spontaneous interjections full of emotion, affect, and the traces of a speaking subject.

And that's in caps with two exclamation marks.

Examples

  • Next time, please write exclamation mark (!) and remember the space.

    Blog text (5)

  • I think that's the first time I have ever put 10 exclamation marks on an article title.

    Blog text (11)

  • Each trial began with an exclamation mark on the computer screen.

    Academic text (2004)

  • As a group, make sure to change your voice for question marks and exclamation marks.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • The second utterance of this line is accompanied by an exclamation mark, again indicating strong emotion.

    Academic text (2005)

  • Every plot twist came with a twirl of a moustache and ended in an exclamation mark.

    Mr. Holmes (2015)

  • The name Mary is abrupt and startling, sensations well conveyed by the dynamic exclamation mark at the end of the sentence.

    Academic text (2018)

  • The teacher asked everyone to end their sentences with an exclamation mark to show excitement.

  • You should always use an exclamation mark to emphasize a loud command or strong feeling.

  • In her note, she added an exclamation mark after each sentence to express her enthusiasm.

Synonyms

exclamation point
vsexclamation mark
  • US
14 2.1

A mark that shows strong feeling or surprise at the end of a sentence

focuses more on loud commands rather than excitement

How Emphatic

interrobang
1 9.9
exclamation mark
  • UK
3 1.1
question mark
15 1.0
period
  • US
96 1.0

Surface Forms

exclamation mark singular
exclamation marks plural

Morphology

exclamation + mark

The meaning 'the punctuation mark used to indicate strong feeling' is directly derivable from combining 'exclamation' (a strong cry or expression of feeling) with 'mark' (a symbol). This is a straightforward noun compound following a common cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Exclamation mark may come from old writers who wrote the letters 'io' to show joy, and over time the i became a short line and the o a dot. That's why the exclamation mark shows 'strong feeling' or a 'loud command'.