pencil
/ˈpɛnsəl/A writing or drawing tool consisting of a thin core of graphite or colored material encased in wood or another material.
He used a mechanical pencil for precise technical drawings.
Mechanical pencils are preferred for detailed work.
Pencils are erasable and commonly used for writing, drawing, and sketching.
A person or thing that is used to write or draw.
She was the pencil behind the best-selling novel.
The phrase metaphorically refers to the writer.
This usage is less common and often metaphorical.
Collocations
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Pencil Types
Mechanical pencils use replaceable leads, while traditional pencils require sharpening.
⚡Gold Rule
Erasability
Pencil marks can usually be erased, unlike pen marks.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'pensel,' from Old French 'pincel,' from Latin 'penicillus,' meaning 'little tail,' referring to the brush-like tool.
📝Usage Notes
Pencils are often used for drafting, sketching, and writing that may need erasure. The term 'lead pencil' is a misnomer, as modern pencils use graphite.