Definition of markup

Short definition: The word markup means extra text, symbols, or structure added to content to explain how it should look or work, or the amount added to a price to make a profit, depending on the context.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the word markup? The word markup is commonly used in business, pricing, and technology. You will often hear it when people talk about raising prices for profit, but it also appears in writing and coding when text is marked with special symbols or tags. Because of this, markup can sound financial in one context and technical in another. Below, each meaning is explained in a calm and natural way, so it feels practical, human, and easy to understand.

Forms: markup, markups, marked up, marking up
Related: price n., profit n., markup language n.
Syllable: mark-up

1. (Noun) The amount added to the original cost of something to make a profit when selling it.

   A markup is the extra amount of money added to the cost of a product or service so that the seller can make a profit, and it is commonly discussed in retail, business planning, and pricing strategy.

   The store applied a high markup to luxury items because customers were willing to pay more for the brand.
   Small businesses often struggle to find the right markup that covers costs without driving customers away.
   He calculated the markup carefully to make sure the business would stay profitable over time.

   Synonyms: price increase, added cost, profit margin, surcharge, extra charge, price raise, uplift, premium, added value, margin increase, cost add on, pricing buffer
   Antonyms: discount, markdown, price cut, reduction, rebate, sale price, lower cost, price drop, deduction, loss leader, underpricing, cut rate

2. (Verb) To increase the price of something above its original cost.

   To markup something means to raise its selling price above the cost, usually to cover expenses and earn profit, and it is a normal part of running a business.

   The retailer decided to markup the product slightly to cover rising shipping and storage costs.
   During peak season, hotels often markup their room rates due to higher demand.
   The vendor marked up the item too much, and customers quickly noticed the difference.

   Synonyms: raise the price, increase cost, price up, add margin, charge more, inflate price, uplift pricing, increase rate, apply margin, price higher, add profit, cost up
   Antonyms: lower the price, discount, mark down, reduce cost, cut price, decrease rate, drop price, offer sale, undercut, cheapen, slash prices, reduce

3. (Noun) Text or symbols added to a document to show structure or formatting.

   In writing and technology, markup refers to symbols, tags, or codes added to text to define structure, formatting, or meaning, such as headings, links, or emphasis in documents and web pages.

   The editor reviewed the markup in the document to understand where changes and comments had been added.
   HTML is a type of markup used to structure content on websites.
   Clear markup helps computers and readers understand how text should be displayed.

   Synonyms: formatting code, text tags, document markup, annotation, coding tags, structure markers, text notation, formatting symbols, tag system, content structure, text coding, markup language
   Antonyms: plain text, raw text, unformatted text, simple writing, clean text, no tags, text only, basic content, unmarked text, flat text, raw content, no formatting

4. (Slang) An informal way to complain about something being overpriced.

   In casual speech, people sometimes say something has a crazy markup to complain that the price feels unfairly high compared to its value.

   He said the coffee shop had a ridiculous markup for such a small cup.
   People online complained about the concert tickets and their huge markup.
   That product looks nice, but the markup makes it hard to justify buying it.

   Synonyms: overpricing, price gouging, inflated price, unfair pricing, expensive tag, high premium, price spike, excessive cost, overpriced item, steep price, high charge, rip off price
   Antonyms: fair price, bargain, good deal, reasonable cost, fair value, discount price, cheap rate, affordable price, fair charge, honest pricing, value deal, low price