Definition

1. Noun:

   • A soft, white, porous sedimentary rock: A form of limestone composed primarily of the mineral calcite, often used historically for writing and drawing.
   • A writing or drawing implement: A stick or crayon made of this rock or a similar substance, used for writing on surfaces like blackboards.
   • A pure, flat white color: A color with very little reflectance, resembling the color of chalk.
   • (Slang) A powdered drug: Specifically, a slang term for methamphetamine, especially in its crystalline form.

2. Verb:

   • To write or draw with chalk: To mark, write, or draw on a surface using a chalk implement.
   • To mark or treat with chalk: To apply chalk to something, such as a billiard cue or a playing field.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The teacher picked up a piece of chalk to write on the blackboard.
  • The cliffs of Dover are made of white chalk.
  • She painted the wall in a matte chalk finish.

• Verb:

  • Please chalk the day's specials on the menu board.
  • The referee chalked the foul on the sideline.

Advanced Usage

• "to chalk something up to experience": To accept a failure or bad situation as a learning opportunity.

  • I lost the match, but I'll just chalk it up to experience.

• "to chalk something up": To achieve or score something; to attribute something to a particular cause.

  • The team chalked up another victory last night.
  • We can chalk his success up to hard work.

• "to chalk out": To sketch or plan something roughly.

  • They chalked out a basic strategy for the project.

Variants and Related Words

• Chalky (adj): Resembling or containing chalk; having a dry, pale texture or color.

  • The soil had a chalky consistency.

• Chalkboard (n): A blackboard, a surface for writing on with chalk.

• Tailor's chalk (n): A chalk used by tailors to mark fabric.

Synonyms

• Noun (for the rock): Limestone, calcite.
• Noun (for the implement): Crayon, pastel.
• Verb: Scribble, sketch, mark.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Chalk up: To score, achieve, or record something; to attribute.

  • He chalked up ten points in the first quarter.

• Chalk out: To outline or plan.

  • Let's chalk out the route before we leave.

Related Idioms

• As different as chalk and cheese: To be completely different from each other.

  • My brother and I are as different as chalk and cheese.

• Not by a long chalk (also by a long chalk): Not at all; by no means (used for emphasis, often in British English).

  • The problem isn't solved, not by a long chalk.

• Walk the chalk (line): To behave correctly and follow rules strictly.

  • After the warning, he knew he had to walk the chalk.

Noun

1. a piece of calcite or a similar substance, usually in the shape of a crayon, that is used to write or draw on blackboards or other flat surfaces
2. an amphetamine derivative (trade name Methedrine) used in the form of a crystalline hydrochloride; used as a stimulant to the nervous system and as an appetite suppressant
3. a pure flat white with little reflectance
4. a soft whitish calcite

Verb

1. write, draw, or trace with chalk