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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.

verb (used with object)

talcked, talced, talcking, talcing

  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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to apply talc to

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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 .

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of talc

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

Vocabulary lists containing talc

Rocks and Minerals - Middle School and High School

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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, which was used in J&J talcum powders, is a naturally occurring mineral that is often mined in close proximity to deposits of asbestos.

From BBC • Oct. 15, 2025

Talc will be replaced by cornstarch, the company said.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 12, 2022

Talc plaintiff committees argue that J&J should not be permitted to use bankruptcy to address the talc litigation and that by doing so, it is depriving plaintiffs their day in court.

From Reuters • Feb. 4, 2022

Ill Dr. Talc had been having a miserable week.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.