talc

American  

[talk] / tælk /

noun

1. Also talcum a green-to-gray, soft mineral, hydrous magnesium silicate, Mg 3 (Si 4 O10 )(OH) 2 , unctuous to the touch, and occurring usually in foliated or compact masses, used in making lubricants, talcum powder, electrical insulation, etc.

2. talcum powder.

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verb (used with object)

talcs, present (3rd person singular) talced, past participle, past talcked, past participle, past talcing, present participle talcking present participle

1. to treat or rub with talc.

talc British  

/ tælk /

noun

1. See talcum powder

2. a white, grey, brown, or pale green mineral, found in metamorphic rocks. It is used in the manufacture of talcum powder and electrical insulators. Composition: hydrated magnesium silicate. Formula: Mg 3 Si 4 O 10 (OH) 2 . Crystal structure: monoclinic

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verb

1. (tr) to apply talc to

talc Scientific  

/ tălk /

1. A very soft white, greenish, or gray monoclinic mineral usually occurring as massive micalike flakes in igneous or metamorphic rocks. It has a soapy texture and is used in face powder and talcum powder, for coating paper, and as a filler in paints and plastics. Chemical formula: Mg ₃ Si ₄ O ₁₀ (OH) ₂ .

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• talcose
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has talcked
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have talced
  perfect
• has talced
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have talcked
  perfect
• is talcing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• am talcking
  progressive 1st person singular
• am talcing
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been talcing
  perfect progressive
• are talcking
  progressive
• talcs
  singular 3rd person
• are talcing
  progressive
• have been talcking
  perfect progressive
• has been talcing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is talcking
  progressive 3rd person singular
• talcing
  participle
• has been talcking
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• talcking
  participle

Past

• had talcked
  perfect
• had talced
  perfect
• were talcking
  progressive plural
• had been talcking
  perfect progressive
• was talcing
  progressive singular
• talced
  participle
• was talcking
  progressive singular
• had been talcing
  perfect progressive
• talcked
  simple
• were talcing
  progressive plural
• talcked
  participle
• talced
  simple

Future

• will talc
  simple
• will have talced
  perfect
• will have talcked
  perfect
• will be talcking
  progressive
• will be talcing
  progressive
• will have been talcking
  perfect progressive
• will have been talcing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of talc

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin talcum < Arabic ṭalq mica < Persian talk

Example Sentences

In recent court filings, Latham lawyers involved in the Imerys Talc America, Barretts Minerals and IG Design Group Americas cases said partner hourly rates will rise to as much as $3,050 in the new year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025

Talc is a mineral that is sometimes used in talcum powders and other cosmetic products, according to Cancer Research UK.

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2024

Talc will be replaced by cornstarch, the company said.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 12, 2022

An internal August report on J&J’s “Defense of Talc Safety” campaign noted that independent authorities had deemed cosmetic talc products to be “free of hazard.”

From Reuters • Dec. 14, 2018

Until later, Gary, Your Militant Working Boy V Dr. Talc lit a Benson & Hedges, looking out of the window of his office in the Social Studies Building.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Related Words

• crumb
• dust