What does bookmark mean?
A bookmark is a simple but indispensable tool: a strip of paper, ribbon, card, or other marker inserted into a book so a reader can return to the exact place they left off. In its modern, equally common sense, a bookmark is a saved link to a web page or online document, stored within a browser or application so it can be reopened with a single click — a practice also called bookmarking. The word functions as both a noun and a verb, since one can bookmark a site just as one uses a physical bookmark. The term carries no strong connotations of formality; it belongs comfortably to everyday speech, from casual reading to professional research. Its enduring usefulness lies in its core idea: preserving a position amid a sea of pages, whether printed or digital, so nothing valuable gets lost.
A strip of paper, ribbon, or similar object placed in a book to mark a reader's place.
"She used a pressed flower as a delicate bookmark in her poetry anthology."
A saved reference or shortcut to a web page, file, or document stored for quick access.
"I keep all my research articles as bookmarks in my browser's reading folder."
To save a web page, document, or position for later retrieval.
"Remember to bookmark this article so you can revisit it after the meeting."
Standard regular plural; used identically in British and American English.
"Her collection of antique brass bookmarks filled an entire drawer."
The humble bookmark predates the printing press — some of the oldest surviving ones are ornate silk ribbons sewn directly into medieval manuscripts.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bookmark
The word bookmark is a straightforward compound of 'book' (from Old English bōc) and 'mark' (from Old English mearc, meaning a boundary or sign), combining to mean a sign placed in a book. As a compound it emerged in English usage around the mid-19th century for the physical object, with the digital sense arising naturally once web browsers popularised saving links in the 1990s. Its components share Germanic roots with words like notebook, handbook, and hallmark, all built on the same 'book' and 'mark' elements.
Related word forms
How bookmark is actually used
In digital contexts, American English often says 'favorite' where British English prefers 'bookmark', though 'bookmark' is now standard on both sides of the Atlantic in most browsers.
Easily confused with bookmark
A footnote is an explanatory note printed at the bottom of a page, whereas a bookmark marks where a reader has stopped reading.