pock-marked
Definition
- Adjective:
- Covered with pockmarks: "pock-marked" describes a surface, especially skin, that has small, depressed scars or pits as a result of disease (such as smallpox or acne) or damage.
- Figuratively marked or scarred: In a broader sense, it can describe any surface (e.g., a road, a wall) that is disfigured by numerous small holes, pits, or indentations.
Usage Examples
- (Her skin had small scars from past acne.)
- (The wall had many small, pit-like marks from gunfire.)
- (The moon has many small, depressed areas.)
Advanced Usage
"pock-marked with [something]": used to describe a surface that is heavily dotted or scarred by a particular feature.
- The road was pock-marked with potholes, making driving treacherous. (The road had many small holes or pits.)
Figurative use: can be applied to abstract concepts, such as a person's reputation or a landscape, to indicate damage or blemish.
- His career was pock-marked by a series of scandals. (His career had many damaging events.)
Variants and Related Words
Pockmark (noun): a small, depressed scar or pit on the skin or a surface.
- The disease left permanent pockmarks on his cheeks. (Small scars remained after recovery.)
Pockmarked (adjective): alternative spelling of "pock-marked," meaning the same.
- The pockmarked face showed signs of childhood illness. (The skin had visible pits.)
Pock (noun): a pustule or blister caused by a disease like smallpox; also refers to the scar left by such a blister.
- The pock on his arm eventually healed into a small scar. (A small blister from an infection.)
Synonyms
- Scarred: marked with scars or blemishes.
- Pitted: having small depressions or holes.
- Disfigured: having the appearance spoiled or damaged.
- Blemished: having imperfections or marks.
Related Idioms
- "Pock-marked like a cheese grater": a vivid simile used to emphasize a heavily pitted or scarred surface.
- His skin was pock-marked like a cheese grater after the illness. (His face had many deep pits.)