pencil

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").

“Pencil” is pronounced PEHN-sihl (/ˈpɛnsəl/ in IPA).

Here is “pencil” used in a sentence: “She sharpened her pencil before the exam started.”

Depending on how it is used, “pencil” can be a noun and a verb.

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.

“Pencil” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“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.

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.

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.

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.