noun
Uncommon
chalk
chawk
Chalk (noun) means a soft white rock made of limestone, or a stick of similar material used for writing or drawing. Example: “The teacher wrote the date on the board with chalk.”
noun
1
A soft white rock made of limestone, or a stick of similar material used for writing or drawing.
"The teacher wrote the date on the board with chalk."
"Kids drew hopscotch squares in chalk on the sidewalk."
"The white cliffs along the coast are made of chalk that has been worn smooth by the sea."
2
Powdered chalk-like substance used to improve grip in climbing, gymnastics, or weightlifting.
"The climber dipped her hands in chalk before the ascent."
"Gymnasts rub chalk on their palms so the bar does not slip."
"There was a bowl of chalk by the weights, and he covered his hands before the lift."
verb
1
To mark or write something using chalk.
"He chalked the score on the blackboard after each round."
"The children chalked a big rainbow on the pavement outside their house."
"She chalked an arrow on the wall to show the way."
How to use chalk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA soft white mineral used for writing, marking, or improving grip.
Common mistake
To "chalk something up to" means to attribute it to a cause (e.g. "chalk it up to bad luck") — a different idiomatic use from the physical substance.
Common pairings
chalk it up to
piece of chalk
chalk dust
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Word forms
- Plural
- chalks
- Third person singular
- chalks
- Past tense
- chalked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The teacher wrote the date on the board with _____.
Etymology
From Old English cealc, ultimately borrowed from Latin calx ("limestone"), from Greek khalix ("pebble").
Synonyms
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glass
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Related words
Rhymes for chalk
See all rhymes for chalk →Frequently asked questions
What does “chalk” mean?
The word “chalk” means a soft white rock made of limestone, or a stick of similar material used for writing or drawing. In plain terms, a soft white mineral used for writing, marking, or improving grip.
How do you pronounce “chalk”?
“Chalk” is pronounced chawk (/t͡ʃɔk/ in IPA).
How do you use “chalk” in a sentence?
Here is “chalk” used in a sentence: “The teacher wrote the date on the board with chalk.”
What part of speech is “chalk”?
Depending on how it is used, “chalk” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “chalk” come from?
The word “chalk” comes from Latin. From Old English cealc, ultimately borrowed from Latin calx ("limestone"), from Greek khalix ("pebble").
Is “chalk” a common word?
“Chalk” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “chalk” have?
“Chalk” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft white rock made of limestone, or a stick of similar material used for writing or drawing.
Is chalk a rock or a mineral?
Chalk is a soft, white sedimentary rock made of limestone, not a single mineral. It has traditionally been shaped into sticks for writing or drawing.
What is the difference between blackboard chalk and gym chalk?
Blackboard chalk is the soft limestone rock used for writing on chalkboards. Gym or climbing chalk is a powdered chalk-like substance used to improve grip in sports such as climbing, gymnastics, and weightlifting, though both are commonly just called 'chalk.'
Can chalk be used as a verb?
Yes. As a verb, to chalk means to mark or write something using chalk, as in 'chalk the score on the board.'
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