Skip to main content
hallmark

hallmark

45 3.6
A typical feature that shows what a person, place, or thing is like
  • noun
  • /ˈhɔːlˌmɑrk/
translation icon : rasgo distintivo
  • Partnership between government, communities, health care professionals, and researchers has been the hallmark of the comparatively successful Australian response.
  • a hallmark symptom
  • bears the hallmarks
  • considered a hallmark

If God is dead, everything is permitted is the the hallmark of that.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Her innovative use of color and texture is a hallmark of contemporary design.

  • And the stethoscope became a hallmark and symbol of the Paris school.

  • Attention to structure and agency is another hallmark of political ecology.

    Academic text (2008)
  • It is a hallmark of my personality.

  • People speak of "checks and balances" as a hallmark of American institutions.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Tall tales are often considered the hallmark of the great humorists in fiction.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Genuine love and creative intelligence were, indeed, the hallmarks of David Bohm's life work.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Adaptability to novel interpersonal situations is the hallmark of socially appropriate individuals.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Quality craftsmanship is a hallmark of this brand's reputation.

  • Adaptability to new technologies is a hallmark of successful businesses.

Synonyms

quality
vshallmark
618 1.8

A trait that makes someone or something special

narrows this to qualities that are typical and identifying
feature
vshallmark
566 2.5

A part of something that helps you notice or describe it

focuses more on being a typical and defining identifying attribute
property
vshallmark
379 3.3

A quality of something, for example how it looks or works

is used when that aspect is a typical identifying mark
trait
vshallmark
226 3.5

A quality of a person's character that shows how they behave

is broader, applying to typical features of people, places, or things
signature
vshallmark
196 3.7

A special style that makes a person or thing easy to recognize

is the general concept for that identifying style or mark
characteristic
vshallmark
159 3.4

A feature that makes something different from others

stresses that the distinguishing trait is typical and expected
attribute
vshallmark
127 3.8

A quality that a person or thing has

adds that the quality is a typical identifying characteristic
specialty
vshallmark
  • US
54 4.4

A quality that makes a person or thing different

is more general, covering any typical identifying characteristic
trademark
vshallmark
49 4.3

A special feature people notice about someone or something

is the broad term for any typical identifying trait
hallmark of
vshallmark
35 4.7

A typical feature that shows what someone or something is like

is the general label for that typical distinguishing trait
calling card
vshallmark
14 4.1

A typical action or sign that helps people notice who someone is

is the general term for any typical identifying characteristic
earmark
vshallmark
4 5.6

A clear feature that helps you recognize someone or something

is a wider term for any typical identifying characteristic

A feature that makes someone or something different from others

is the broader idea of a typical separating quality
distinctive feature
vshallmark
2 4.1

A clear quality that makes a person or thing different

is the general notion of a typical distinguishing feature
lineament
vshallmark
  • Literature
1 9.9

Distinctive lines or shapes on a face that show how it looks

is the broader idea of a typical distinguishing characteristic
unique trait
vshallmark
1 3.7

A quality that makes a person or thing stand out

is the concept for any typical trait that defines identity
stylemark
vshallmark
8.8

A clear feature that people notice in someone's work or appearance

is the general category for any typical identifying feature

Antonyms

81 4.8

Typical of a whole group rather than a single person or thing

31 4.6

A quality that people or things share

Compounds

35 4.7

A typical feature that shows what someone or something is like

A holiday companies promote mainly to sell cards and gifts

How Distinctive

trademark
49 4.3
signature
196 3.7
hallmark
45 3.6
characteristic
159 3.4
feature
566 2.5

Surface Forms

hallmark singular
hallmarks plural

Morphology

hallmark = hall + mark (semi-transparent) = hall + mark

The compound is literally 'hall' + 'mark', but the specific sense of an official assay stamp (and by extension the figurative 'distinctive feature') depends on historical practice and metaphorical extension.

Etymology

Hallmark originally came from the practice of stamping silver at Goldsmiths' Hall in London to show it was genuine. The parts hall ('a building') and mark ('a sign') give a clear image, so a hallmark now means a clear feature that shows something's true quality.