2 syllables: mark, up. Stress on mark.
MAHR-kuhp
/ˈmɑˌɹkʌp/
markup is pronounced MAHR-kuhp (/ˈmɑˌɹkʌp/). It has two syllables (mark-up), with the stress on "mark". Markup refers to the added value or percentage applied to the cost of a product or service, or to a system of annotations (as in documents or web markup languages). In business, markup denotes the difference between cost and selling price; in tech, it designates a language used to annotate or structure content. The term spans financial, marketing, and coding contexts.
Markup refers to the added value or percentage applied to the cost of a product or service, or to a system of annotations (as in documents or web markup languages). In business, markup denotes the difference between cost and selling price; in tech, it designates a language used to annotate or structure content. The term spans financial, marketing, and coding contexts.
- Common pitfalls include misplacing stress on the second syllable, or producing a longer, unduly emphasized /ʌ/ in the second syllable. - Another frequent error is coalescing the /rk/ with a heavy /ɪ/ or /æ/; avoid adding a vowel before the /p/ and keep the second syllable short. - You might also over-articulate the /r/ in American speech, creating an unnecessary lag between syllables. - Correction tips: practice slow, then medium tempo; emphasize the first syllable with a strong /ˈmɑːrk/ and keep the /ʌp/ tight, ending with a crisp /p/. Use minimal pairs like “mark” vs “markup” to train separation of syllables. - Use your tongue blade to sculpt the /rk/ consonant pair, then release softly into /ʌp/ for a clean finish.
"The retailer increased the markup to cover shipping and handling."
"She reviewed the markup on the invoice and questioned the higher percentage."
"The HTML markup defines headings, paragraphs, and links on a webpage."
Markup is pronounced with two syllables: MAHRK-up. The primary stress is on the first syllable. Phonetically, /ˈmɑːrk.ʌp/ in US and UK; the Australian variant also aligns with /ˈmɑː.kʌp/. The first vowel is the open back unrounded /ɑː/ in most accents, followed by the rhotic consonant /r/ before the /k/ cluster. The second syllable uses a short /ʌ/ as in cup, ending with /p/.
Common errors include misplacing stress or over-emphasizing the second syllable. People often say /ˈmaɹk.mæk/ by mishearing the second vowel as /æ/. Another frequent mistake is giving the second syllable too long a vowel or adding an extra syllable. Correction: keep it two syllables, with clear /ˈmɑːrk/ for the first, a short /ʌ/ in the second syllable, and a clean /p/ at the end. Practice by chaining /ˈmɑːrk/ + /ʌp/.
In US/UK/AU, the pronunciation remains largely the same: /ˈmɑːrk.ʌp/ with a rhotic /r/ in American speech and non-rhotic tendencies in some UK dialects affecting the r-colored vowel quality. Australians generally mirror US rhotic pronunciation, keeping a clear /ɹ/ in GA-like speech. Subtle differences include vowel length and quality: US tends to retain a slightly longer /ɹʌ/ cluster in connected speech; UK varieties may reduce phonetic length in rapid speech. IPA remains a reliable guide across these accents.
The difficulty often lies in the short, tense second syllable /ʌp/ following /ˈmɑːr/. The cluster /rk/ right before the /ʌ/ can trip speakers, causing vowel-length misalignment. Additionally, the rhotic /r/ in non-rhotic contexts can become subtle in some UK dialects, affecting how you connect the two syllables. Focus on keeping the first syllable strong and the second brief, with a crisp /p/ end. IPA helps anchor the exact positions you should hit.
A unique aspect is the seamless transition from a dark, rounded /ɑː/ vowel into a short, clipped /ʌ/ before the final /p/. You’ll hear a tiny vowel reduction in rapid speech, but in careful speech you maintain the full /ʌ/ to keep the two-syllable integrity. Ensure your tongue clears the alveolar ridge cleanly for the /rk/ sequence before moving to /ʌp/. This combination makes it stand out phonetically among two-syllable words.
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- US: Rhotic, clear /ɹ/ before the /k/; maintain a full /ɑː/ in the first vowel, but keep it tense and rounded. - UK: May be slightly less rhotic in some regions; keep the first syllable strong with /ɑː/ and ensure the /rk/ is pronounced as a single alveolar cluster, then /ʌp/. - AU: Similar to US; aim for a relaxed but precise /ɹ/ after the /rk/ cluster and a crisp final /p/. IPA references help you monitor rhoticity and vowel quality. - General tip: avoid vowel elongation in the second syllable; keep it short and clipped to preserve the two-syllable rhythm. - Practice with minimal pairs: /mɑːrk/ vs /mɑːkʌp/ to hear difference in syllable boundaries.
Markup originates from business terminology reflecting the practice of adding a markup to the cost price to determine selling price. The sense evolved from simple “additional charge” to a broader set of meanings. Early modern commerce used the term to denote a percentage added to the cost to achieve a desired profit margin. In computing and publishing, markup took on a more specialized meaning: a system of annotations or tags that “mark up” text to indicate structure, styling, or semantics. The linguistic root is the verb phrase to mark up, meaning to annotate or improve by labeling, highlighting, or encoding. The transition from a purely financial concept to a technical one likely occurred in the mid-20th century as computers and coding practices expanded; “markup languages” such as SGML, HTML, and XML formalized the concept of tagging text to convey structure and presentation. First known uses appear in business records and early computing manuals, with “markup” repeatedly used to describe the added value portion in pricing, then extended metaphorically to denote any form of annotation or tagging in documents and code. Over time, markup became a standard term in software development and data formatting, signifying both economic and structural markers in different domains.
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Help others use "markup" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "markup" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "markup" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "markup"
- up sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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