pencil
PEHN-sihl
Pencil (noun) means a writing tool with a thin core of graphite encased in wood or plastic. Example: “He drew a quick sketch of the cat with a soft pencil.”
noun
1
A writing tool with a thin core of graphite encased in wood or plastic.
"He drew a quick sketch of the cat with a soft pencil."
"Please bring a pencil and an eraser to the maths lesson."
"She sharpened her pencil before the exam started."
verb
1
To write or mark something using a pencil, often tentatively.
"I penciled (BrE: pencilled) a brief reminder in my notebook."
"Let's pencil in a meeting for next Tuesday."
How to use pencil
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe graphite writing tool, or the act of jotting something down loosely (as in "pencil in a date").
Common mistake
Despite the similar spelling, "pencil" is not related to "pen" — they come from completely different Latin roots.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
pencil in
sharpen a pencil
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- pencils
- Past tense
- penciled, pencilled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He drew a quick sketch of the cat with a soft _____.
Etymology
From Latin penicillum ("little brush"), originally referring to small artists' brushes rather than the graphite tool we use today.
Related words
Rhymes for pencil
See all rhymes for pencil →Frequently asked questions
What does “pencil” mean?
The word “pencil” means a writing tool with a thin core of graphite encased in wood or plastic. In plain terms, the graphite writing tool, or the act of jotting something down loosely (as in "pencil in a date").
How do you pronounce “pencil”?
“Pencil” is pronounced PEHN-sihl (/ˈpɛnsəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “pencil” in a sentence?
Here is “pencil” used in a sentence: “She sharpened her pencil before the exam started.”
What part of speech is “pencil”?
Depending on how it is used, “pencil” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pencil” come from?
The word “pencil” comes from Latin. From Latin penicillum ("little brush"), originally referring to small artists' brushes rather than the graphite tool we use today.
Is “pencil” a common word?
“Pencil” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “pencil” have?
“Pencil” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a writing tool with a thin core of graphite encased in wood or plastic.
What is the difference between a pencil and a pen?
A pencil writes with a thin core of graphite that can be erased, while a pen writes with ink that is usually permanent. Because pencil marks can be rubbed out, pencils are often preferred for drafts, sketching, and work that may need changing.
What is the difference between pencil "lead" and graphite?
The core of a pencil is commonly called "lead," but it actually contains no lead — it is made of graphite. The habit of calling it lead is historical; the material writing on the page is graphite mixed with clay.
What is the difference between a mechanical pencil and a wooden pencil?
A wooden pencil has its graphite core encased in wood and must be sharpened as it wears down. A mechanical pencil instead holds thin refillable leads inside a plastic or metal body, advancing them with a click so the point stays constant without sharpening.
