Definitions for pencil
ˈpɛn səlpen·cil

Princeton's WordNet(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. pencilnoun

   a thin cylindrical pointed writing implement; a rod of marking substance encased in wood

2. pencilnoun

   graphite (or a similar substance) used in such a way as to be a medium of communication

   "the words were scribbled in pencil"; "this artist's favorite medium is pencil"

3. pencilnoun

   a figure formed by a set of straight lines or light rays meeting at a point

4. pencilverb

   a cosmetic in a long thin stick; designed to be applied to a particular part of the face

   "an eyebrow pencil"

5. pencilverb

   write, draw, or trace with a pencil

   "he penciled a figure"

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. pencilnoun

   A paintbrush.

   Etymology: From and pincil (modern pinceau), from diminutive peniculus, from noun penis + diminutive suffix -culus.

2. pencilnoun

   Writing utensil that uses graphite (commonly referred to as lead). Regular pencils usually have a graphite shaft surrounded by wood. Also available in a mechanical version where the graphite length can be adjusted and sharpening is not needed.

   Etymology: From and pincil (modern pinceau), from diminutive peniculus, from noun penis + diminutive suffix -culus.

3. pencilnoun

   A family of geometric objects with a common property, such as the set of lines that pass through a given point in a projective plane.

   Etymology: From and pincil (modern pinceau), from diminutive peniculus, from noun penis + diminutive suffix -culus.

4. pencilverb

   to write something using a pencil

   I penciled (BrEn: pencilled) it in my notebook.

   Etymology: From and pincil (modern pinceau), from diminutive peniculus, from noun penis + diminutive suffix -culus.

5. pencilverb

   To tentatively make a booking or appointment.

   I am very busy today but I can pencil you in at 3 p.m.

   Etymology: From and pincil (modern pinceau), from diminutive peniculus, from noun penis + diminutive suffix -culus.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Pencilnoun

   a small, fine brush of hair or bristles used by painters for laying on colors

   Etymology: [OF. pincel, F. pinceau, L. penicillum, penicillus, equiv. to peniculus, dim. of penis a tail. Cf. Penicil.]

2. Pencilnoun

   a slender cylinder or strip of black lead, colored chalk, slate etc., or such a cylinder or strip inserted in a small wooden rod intended to be pointed, or in a case, which forms a handle, -- used for drawing or writing. See Graphite

   Etymology: [OF. pincel, F. pinceau, L. penicillum, penicillus, equiv. to peniculus, dim. of penis a tail. Cf. Penicil.]

3. Pencilnoun

   hence, figuratively, an artist's ability or peculiar manner; also, in general, the act or occupation of the artist, descriptive writer, etc

   Etymology: [OF. pincel, F. pinceau, L. penicillum, penicillus, equiv. to peniculus, dim. of penis a tail. Cf. Penicil.]

4. Pencilnoun

   an aggregate or collection of rays of light, especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point

   Etymology: [OF. pincel, F. pinceau, L. penicillum, penicillus, equiv. to peniculus, dim. of penis a tail. Cf. Penicil.]

5. Pencilnoun

   a number of lines that intersect in one point, the point of intersection being called the pencil point

   Etymology: [OF. pincel, F. pinceau, L. penicillum, penicillus, equiv. to peniculus, dim. of penis a tail. Cf. Penicil.]

6. Pencilnoun

   a small medicated bougie

   Etymology: [OF. pincel, F. pinceau, L. penicillum, penicillus, equiv. to peniculus, dim. of penis a tail. Cf. Penicil.]

7. Pencilverb

   to write or mark with a pencil; to paint or to draw

   Etymology: [OF. pincel, F. pinceau, L. penicillum, penicillus, equiv. to peniculus, dim. of penis a tail. Cf. Penicil.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Pencil

   A pencil is a writing implement or art medium usually constructed of a narrow, solid pigment core inside a protective casing. The case prevents the core from breaking, and also from marking the user’s hand during use. Pencils create marks via physical abrasion, leaving behind a trail of solid core material that adheres to a sheet of paper or other surface. They are noticeably distinct from pens, which dispense liquid or gel ink that stain the light colour of the paper. Most pencil cores are made of graphite mixed with a clay binder, leaving grey or black marks that can be easily erased. Graphite pencils are used for both writing and drawing, and the result is durable: although writing can usually be removed with an eraser, it is resistant to moisture, most chemicals, ultraviolet radiation and natural aging. Other types of pencil core are less widely used. Charcoal pencils are mainly used by artists for drawing and sketching. Coloured pencils are sometimes used by teachers or editors to correct submitted texts but are more usually regarded as art supplies, especially those with waxy core binders that tend to smear on paper instead of erasing. Grease pencils have a softer crayon-like waxy core that can leave marks on smooth surfaces such as glass or porcelain.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Pencil

   pen′sil, n. a small hair brush for laying on colours: any pointed instrument for writing or drawing without ink: a collection of rays of light converging to a point: the art of painting or drawing.—v.t. to write, sketch, or mark with a pencil: to paint or draw:—pr.p. pen′cilling; pa.t. and pa.p. pen′cilled.—ns. Pen′cil-case, a holder for a pencil; Pen′cil-com′pass, a compass having a pencil on one of its legs for use in drawing.—adjs. Pen′cilled, written or marked with a pencil: having pencils of rays: radiated: (bot.) marked with fine lines, as with a pencil; Pen′cilliform, having the form of a pencil, as of rays.—ns. Pen′cilling, the art of writing, sketching, or marking with a pencil: marks made with a pencil: fine lines on flowers or the feathers of birds: a sketch; Pen′cil-sketch, a sketch made with a pencil. [O. Fr. pincel (Fr. pinceau)—L. penicillum, a painter's brush, dim. of penis, a tail.]

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. pencil

   A type of product created and designed in various colors, materials, mechanisms, shapes, sizes and styles.

   Children love a pencil to use in the classroom.

   Submitted by MaryC on July 6, 2020  

Entomology(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Pencil

   a little, elongated brush of hair: in Diptera, applied to a group of sensory hairs on the flagellum of the antenna.

Matched Categories

1. • Draw
   • Figure
   • Graphite
   • Physics
   • Writing Implement

British National Corpus

1. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'pencil' in Written Corpus Frequency: #3117

2. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'pencil' in Nouns Frequency: #2401

How to pronounce pencil?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say pencil in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of pencil in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of pencil in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of pencil in a Sentence

1. Naad-Dre Amos:

   I don’t play video games that much, but journaling, that’s one of my hobbies, I get a pencil, I sit down, and then I start journaling.” ~ Naad-Dre Amos

2. Ogbonnaya Onu:

   We have all the things to produce a pencil, which is used by a large number of people from our young pupils to engineers, the private sector will come in to do the production and we will see the benefits. When production of pencils begins, Nigerians will be amazed at the multiplier effects. It will create a minimum of 400,000 jobs.

3. Brian Youngberg:

   I think in general the industry is putting a sharper pencil to cost cutting, i think they are realizing the days of $ 100 a barrel( oil) are over.

4. Dharini Mathur:

   It broke our heart to see him struggling on Zoom every day, he had to unmute when he wanted to speak, and mute when he wasn't speaking. He had to learn how to write online. How do you learn how to hold a pencil online ?

5. The Guardian:

   It’s easier to give a child an iPad than encouraging them to do muscle-building play such as building blocks, cutting and sticking, or pulling toys and ropes, she noted. Because of this, they’re not developing the underlying foundation skills they need to grip and hold a pencil.

Popularity rank by frequency of use