Definitions for pencil
ˈpɛn səlpen·cil

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

1. pencil(noun)

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

2. pencil(noun)

   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. pencil(noun)

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

4. pencil(verb)

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

   "an eyebrow pencil"

5. pencil(verb)

   write, draw, or trace with a pencil

   "he penciled a figure"

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. pencil(Noun)

   A paintbrush.

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

2. pencil(Noun)

   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. pencil(Noun)

   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. pencil(Verb)

   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. pencil(Verb)

   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. Pencil(noun)

   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. Pencil(noun)

   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. Pencil(noun)

   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. Pencil(noun)

   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. Pencil(noun)

   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. Pencil(noun)

   a small medicated bougie

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

7. Pencil(verb)

   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  

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

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

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. Joe Quinlan:

   It's hard to pencil in a recession anytime soon, the Joe Quinlan consumer is at the core of the economy -- and that core is pretty rock solid right now.

2. 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

3. Strugatsky:

   When I feel bad, I work. When I have problems, when I'm depressed, when I'm bored with life, I sit down to my work. There are probably other prescriptions, but I don't know them. Or they don't work for me. You want my advice -- here it is Go and work. Thank God that people like you and me need only paper and pencil to work.

4. Spike Milligan:

   Said Hamlet to Ophelia, I'll draw a sketch of thee. What kind of pencil shall I use? 2B or not 2B?

5. Ken Dodd:

   The man who invented cats’ eyes got the idea when he saw the eyes of a cat in his headlights. If the cat had been going the other way, he would have invented the pencil sharpener.

Images & Illustrations of pencil

Popularity rank by frequency of use