markedness

Markedness is a linguistic concept that describes how certain words, sounds, or features are considered more specific or specialized compared to more general or neutral alternatives. For example, in language, the word "lion" is more marked than "animal" because "lion" specifies a particular creature, whereas "animal" is more inclusive. Marked forms often carry additional meaning or uniqueness. In communication, understanding markedness helps explain why some words or expressions stand out or seem more unusual, as they are less common or more detailed than their unmarked counterparts.