charcoal
3 synonyms for charcoal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A black, carbon-rich material made by burning wood slowly without much oxygen, used as fuel or in cooking.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
fusain
How to use charcoal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
charcoal grill
charcoal drawing
charcoal grey
Etymology
From Middle English charcole, likely combining char ("to turn or char") with cole ("coal").
Full origin of charcoal →Frequently asked questions
What does “charcoal” mean?
The word “charcoal” means a black, carbon-rich material made by burning wood slowly without much oxygen, used as fuel or in cooking. In plain terms, burnt carbon used for fuel or drawing, or the dark grey colour associated with it.
How do you pronounce “charcoal”?
“Charcoal” is pronounced CHAH-kohl (/ˈt͡ʃɑɹ.koʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “charcoal” in a sentence?
Here is “charcoal” used in a sentence: “They lit the charcoal early so the barbecue would be ready by evening.”
What part of speech is “charcoal”?
“Charcoal” is a noun.
Where does the word “charcoal” come from?
The word “charcoal” comes from Middle English. From Middle English charcole, likely combining char ("to turn or char") with cole ("coal").
Is “charcoal” a common word?
“Charcoal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “charcoal” have?
“Charcoal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a black, carbon-rich material made by burning wood slowly without much oxygen, used as fuel or in cooking.
What is the difference between charcoal and coal?
Charcoal is made by burning wood slowly with limited oxygen, producing a lighter, carbon-rich material often used for cooking or drawing, while coal is a naturally occurring fossil fuel mined from the ground. Charcoal is manufactured from organic material, whereas coal formed over geological time.
Is charcoal used for anything besides cooking?
Yes, charcoal is also used as a drawing medium, in the form of sticks of compressed carbon, and the word can describe drawings made with it. Charcoal additionally refers to a very dark grey colour, as in 'a charcoal suit.'
What does charcoal mean when describing a colour?
When describing a colour, charcoal refers to a very dark grey, named after the near-black shade of burnt wood charcoal. It's commonly used to describe clothing, paint, or design finishes.
