I. re ‧ mark 1 W3 /rɪˈmɑːk $ -ɑːrk/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ remark ; noun : ↑ remark ; adverb : ↑ remarkably ; adjective : ↑ remarkable ≠ ↑ unremarkable ]
1 . [countable] something that you say when you express an opinion or say what you have noticed SYN comment :
Unfortunately, a local journalist overheard the remark.
2 . remarks [plural] the things you say in a formal speech
introductory/opening/concluding remarks
the chairman’s introductory remarks
in sb’s remarks
Caldwell, in his remarks, emphasized the need for cooperation.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ make a remark
I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have made that remark.
▪ ignore a remark
He ignored my remark and carried on working.
▪ address your remarks to somebody (=make your remarks to someone)
He addressed all his remarks to her husband.
▪ mean something by a remark
What did you mean by that remark?
■ adjectives
▪ a casual/throwaway remark (=one that you do not think about carefully)
These days a casual remark can get you into trouble.
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I didn’t mean to upset you – it was just a throwaway remark.
▪ a chance remark (=one that is not planned or intended)
I found out about their relationship from a chance remark Teddy made at dinner.
▪ a personal remark (=a remark about someone’s appearance or behaviour, especially an offensive one)
He kept making personal remarks about Tom.
▪ a racist/sexist remark (=an offensive remark showing racist/sexist attitudes)
The men are accused of making racist remarks to a taxi driver in a dispute over a fare.
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When faced with a sexist remark, women have to either confront the person or ignore it.
▪ a disparaging remark (=one that shows you do not think someone or something is very good)
My aunt always makes disparaging remarks about my appearance.
▪ a rude remark
The children kept interrupting and making rude remarks.
▪ a snide remark (=one that criticizes in an indirect way, especially unfairly)
Will you stop making snide remarks about my mother!
▪ a witty remark (=one that is clever and amusing)
I tried to think of a witty remark to make.
▪ a sarcastic remark (=one that seems to mean the opposite of what you really mean)
She was always making sarcastic remarks about his work.
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THESAURUS
▪ comment something that you say or write in order to give your opinion:
Does anyone have any comments?
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Readers are invited to send in their comments and suggestions.
▪ remark something that you say:
Just ignore them if they start making rude remarks.
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I’m not sure what he meant by that last remark.
▪ point something that someone mentions about a subject in a discussion, argument, article etc:
That’s an interesting point, Steve.
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He raises (=mentions) a number of important points in his paper.
▪ observation a comment in which you say what you think or have noticed about something:
Karl Marx made the observation that history repeats itself first as tragedy, second as farce.
▪ aside a comment made in a low voice, that you intend only certain people to hear:
‘Is that true?’, she whispered in an aside to Don.
▪ quip /kwɪp/ a clever and amusing comment:
She knew she should reply with some light-hearted quip.
▪ dig informal a comment you make to annoy or criticize someone:
I’m tired of her little digs at me.
▪ taunt /tɔːnt $ tɒːnt/ a comment intended to make someone angry or upset:
The fans made racist taunts throughout the game.
II. remark 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ remark ; noun : ↑ remark ; adverb : ↑ remarkably ; adjective : ↑ remarkable ≠ ↑ unremarkable ]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: French ; Origin: remarquer , from marquer 'to mark' ]
to say something, especially about something you have just noticed:
‘This house must be very old,’ he remarked.
remark that
Anderson left the table, remarking that he had some work to do.
remark on/upon
He remarked on the difference in security measures at the two airports.
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THESAURUS
■ to say something
▪ say to tell someone something, using words:
‘I really ought to go,’ she said.
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Lauren said she’d probably be late.
▪ state to say something, especially in a definite or formal way – used in official contexts:
The witness stated that he had never seen the woman before.
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Please state your name and address.
▪ announce to publicly tell people about something:
The chairman announced his resignation.
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The results will be announced tomorrow.
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We will announce the winners next Sunday.
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They were announcing the train times over the loudspeaker system.
▪ declare to say something very firmly:
‘My personal life is none of your business,’ she declared.
▪ mention to talk about someone or something, especially without giving many details:
Did Tom mention anything about what happened at school?
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Your name was mentioned!
▪ express to let someone know your feelings by putting them into words:
Young children often find it difficult to express their emotions.
▪ comment to say what your opinion is about someone or something:
The prime minister was asked to comment on the crisis.
▪ note/remark formal to say that you have noticed that something is true – used especially in formal writing:
We have already noted that most old people live alone.
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Someone once remarked that the problem with computers is that they only give you answers.
▪ add to say something more, after what has already been said:
He added that he thought it could be done fairly cheaply.
▪ point out to mention something that seems particularly important or relevant:
Dr Graham points out that most children show some signs of abnormal behaviour.
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It’s worth pointing out that few people actually die of this disease.
▪ air to talk about your opinions, worries, or the things you disagree about: air your views/grievances/differences :
The programme will give listeners the chance to air their views about immigration.
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Workers were able to air their grievances.
▪ voice to talk publicly about your feelings or about whether you approve or disapprove of something formal : voice concern/support/doubt/fears etc :
The president has already voiced his support for the proposal.
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She voiced concern for the safety of the hostages.