pencil

American  

[pen-suhl] / ˈpɛn səl /

noun

1. a slender tube of wood, metal, plastic, etc., containing a core or strip of graphite, a solid coloring material, or the like, used for writing or drawing.

2. a stick of cosmetic coloring material for use on the eyebrows, eyelids, etc.

3. anything shaped or used like a pencil, as a stick of medicated material.

   a styptic pencil.

4. a narrow set of lines, light rays, or the like, diverging from or converging to a point.

   a pencil of sunlight.

5. a slender, pointed piece of a substance used for marking.

6. style or skill in drawing or delineation.

   He favored the late products of the artist's pencil.

7. Mathematics.  the collection of lines, planes, or surfaces passing through a given point or set of points and satisfying a given equation or condition.

8. Archaic.  an artist's paintbrush, especially for fine work.

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verb (used with object)

penciled, penciling pencilled, pencilling

1. to write, draw, mark, or color with, or as if with, a pencil.

2. to use a pencil on.

verb phrase

1. pencil in  to schedule or list tentatively, as or as if by writing down in pencil rather than in ink.

   I'll pencil you in for ten o'clock.

pencil British  

/ ˈpɛnsəl /

noun

1. 1. a thin cylindrical instrument used for writing, drawing, etc, consisting of a rod of graphite or other marking substance, usually either encased in wood and sharpened or held in a mechanical metal device

   2. ( as modifier )

      a pencil drawing

2. something similar in shape or function

   a styptic pencil

   an eyebrow pencil

3. a narrow set of lines or rays, such as light rays, diverging from or converging to a point

4. archaic  an artist's fine paintbrush

5. rare  an artist's individual style or technique in drawing

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verb

1. to draw, colour, or write with a pencil

2. to mark with a pencil

3. to note, arrange, include, etc provisionally or tentatively

pencil Idioms  

1. see put lead in one's pencil.

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Other Word Forms

• penciler noun
• penciller noun
• pencillike adjective
• unpenciled adjective
• unpencilled adjective

Etymology

Origin of pencil

1350–1400; Middle English pencel < Middle French pincel ≪ Latin pēnicillus painter's brush or pencil, diminutive of pēniculus little tail. See penis, -cule ¹

Example Sentences

"My tools are simple: a ruler, pencils, coloured pencils and glue," he says.

From BBC

Economists remain divided on the BOK’s policy path, with some still penciling in a rate cut in the first quarter of 2026 and others maintaining that the current easing cycle may have already ended.

From The Wall Street Journal

“You are smart and kind,” she wrote in pencil, the handwriting surrounded by crayon hearts.

From The Wall Street Journal

I was not sparing any horses during a recent 350-mile tour of eastern North Carolina and I was seeing efficiencies that penciled out to more than 300 miles between charges.

From The Wall Street Journal

The centerpiece of the primary gallery is a rarely resurrected penciled drawing of Fantasyland from Bruce Bushman, who created pre-opening concept art for the land inspired by Marvin Davis’ master plans.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• address
• compose
• create
• draft
• note
• pen
• print
• record
• rewrite
• scrawl
• scribble
• sign
• tell