distinguishing mark
Sets one apart
A distinguishing mark is a feature that sets something or someone apart from others—a scar, birthmark, tattoo, or other characteristic that makes identification possible: The suspect had a distinguishing mark on his left cheek.
The phrase appears in police reports, passport applications, and physical descriptions where unique identifiers matter.
Permanent mark from healing
- birthmarkCongenital skin discoloration
- moleSubterranean insectivore
- tattooPermanent dermal design
- freckleSmall pigmented skin spot
blemish · beauty mark · port-wine stain · vitiligo · pockmark · dimple · nevus · cicatrix
Company identifying symbol
- trademarkRegistered commercial identifier
- emblemRepresentational sign or device
- insigniaDistinguishing mark of rank
- crestHighest point or tuft
badge · seal · stamp · hallmark · label · watermark · monogram · decal
Distinguishing quality or trait
- traitDistinguishing personal quality
- attributeQuality assigned to something
- peculiarityUnusual distinguishing characteristic
- quirkPeculiar behavioral trait
idiosyncrasy · mannerism · telltale sign · giveaway · earmark · indicator · signature style · calling card
Friction ridge impression
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- retina scanBiometric reading of eye's interior
- signatureHandwritten name for verification
- serial numberUnique alphanumeric product identifier
barcode · microchip · dog tag · license plate · registration · credential · biometric · voiceprint
scar
Permanent mark from healing
freckle · blemish · beauty mark · port-wine stain · vitiligo · pockmark · dimple · nevus · cicatrix · keloid
logo
Company identifying symbol
- trademarkRegistered commercial identifier
- emblemRepresentational sign or device
- insigniaDistinguishing mark of rank
crest · badge · seal · stamp · hallmark · label · watermark · monogram · decal · sigil
characteristic
Distinguishing quality or trait
- traitDistinguishing personal quality
- attributeQuality assigned to something
- peculiarityUnusual distinguishing characteristic
quirk · idiosyncrasy · mannerism · telltale sign · giveaway · earmark · indicator · signature style · calling card · fingerprint
fingerprint
Friction ridge impression
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- retina scanBiometric reading of eye's interior
- signatureHandwritten name for verification
serial number · barcode · microchip · dog tag · license plate · registration · credential · biometric · voiceprint · iris scan
distinguishing markcommonality
Shared characteristic among things
sameness · shared trait · uniformity · conformity · normality
distinguishing markblank slate
Unmarked starting point
featurelessness · anonymity · obscurity · plainness · facelessness
distinguish, distinguished, distinguishing, marked, marking, marker, markers, markedly, distinction