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

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."

Powdered chalk-like substance used to improve grip in climbing, gymnastics, or weightlifting.

"The climber dipped her hands in chalk before the ascent."

verb

To mark or write something using chalk.

"He chalked the score on the blackboard after each round."

How to Use Chalk

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word Forms

chalked past tense, chalks plural, Chalks plural, chalks singular

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

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

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").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for chalk

talk walk Falk stalk catwalk sidewalk cakewalk crosswalk sleepwalk boardwalk beanstalk

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.