noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

carbon

KAH-buhn

Carbon (noun) means a chemical element (symbol C) found in all living things and in materials like coal, diamond, and graphite. Example: “Diamonds and pencil lead are both made almost entirely of carbon.”

noun

A chemical element (symbol C) found in all living things and in materials like coal, diamond, and graphite.

"Diamonds and pencil lead are both made almost entirely of carbon."

"Companies are being pushed to cut their carbon emissions."

How to Use Carbon

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA basic chemical element that's the building block of life and of fuels like coal and oil.

Common pairings

carbon emissions carbon footprint carbon dioxide

Word Forms

carboned past tense, Carbons plural, carbons singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “carbon” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Diamonds and pencil lead are both made almost entirely of _____.

Etymology

Coined by the chemist Antoine Lavoisier from Latin carbo, "charcoal" or "coal."

Origin: Latin

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “carbon” mean?

The word “carbon” means a chemical element (symbol C) found in all living things and in materials like coal, diamond, and graphite. In plain terms, a basic chemical element that's the building block of life and of fuels like coal and oil.

How do you pronounce “carbon”?

“Carbon” is pronounced KAH-buhn (/ˈkɑɹ.bən/ in IPA).

How do you use “carbon” in a sentence?

Here is “carbon” used in a sentence: “Diamonds and pencil lead are both made almost entirely of carbon.”

What part of speech is “carbon”?

“Carbon” is a noun.

Where does the word “carbon” come from?

The word “carbon” comes from Latin. Coined by the chemist Antoine Lavoisier from Latin carbo, "charcoal" or "coal.".

Is “carbon” a common word?

“Carbon” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

What are the different forms of carbon?

Carbon exists in several forms, called allotropes, made of the same atoms arranged differently. Diamond is hard and clear, graphite is soft and grey, and there are also forms like graphene, charcoal, and soot. This versatility is why carbon appears in everything from pencil leads to jewellery.

What is the difference between carbon and carbon dioxide?

Carbon is a single chemical element, symbol C. Carbon dioxide is a compound — one carbon atom joined to two oxygen atoms, written CO2. So carbon is a building block, while carbon dioxide is a gas made partly from carbon. The two are related but not the same thing.

Why is carbon important for life?

Carbon is the backbone of life. Its atoms link together easily to form long, stable chains and rings, building the proteins, fats, sugars, and DNA that every living thing depends on. No other element bonds so flexibly, which is why all known life is described as carbon-based.

Is carbon a metal?

No. Carbon is a non-metal, sitting in group 14 of the periodic table. Unlike metals, it does not conduct electricity well in most forms and is not shiny or malleable — though graphite is an unusual exception that does conduct. Its chemistry is defined by sharing electrons rather than losing them.