Definition

1. Noun:

   • A porous black carbon material: A lightweight, black substance made by heating wood or other organic materials in a lack of air.
   • A stick of this material for drawing: A drawing implement made from compressed charcoal.
   • A drawing made with this material: An artwork created using charcoal sticks.
   • A very dark grey color: A color resembling that of charcoal.

2. Verb:

   • To draw or represent with charcoal: To create an image using charcoal sticks.

3. Adjective:

   • Of a very dark grey color: Having a color similar to that of charcoal.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Material):

  • We used charcoal to light the barbecue grill.
  • The artist bought a box of willow charcoal for sketching.

• Noun (Drawing/Artwork):

  • The gallery featured several beautiful charcoals of landscapes.

• Noun (Color):

  • She painted the wall a deep charcoal.

• Verb:

  • He charcoaled a quick portrait of the model.

• Adjective:

  • She wore a charcoal grey suit to the interview.

Advanced Usage

• "Activated charcoal": A specially processed, highly porous form of charcoal used for filtration and medical purposes.

  • The water filter uses activated charcoal to remove impurities.

• "Charcoal burner": A person who makes charcoal or a stove designed to burn it.

  • In historical times, a charcoal burner lived deep in the forest.

Variants and Related Words

• Charcoaly (adj., informal): Resembling or characteristic of charcoal.
  • The meat had a charcoaly flavor from the grill.

Synonyms

• Carbon black: A pigment produced by the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons.
• Fusain: A type of fibrous charcoal found in coal.
• Graphite (for drawing): A crystalline form of carbon used in pencils, though distinct from charcoal.

Related Phrases

• To charcoal-broil: To cook food over burning charcoal.
  • We plan to charcoal-broil steaks this weekend.

Idioms

Adjective

1. of a very dark grey

Noun

1. a drawing made with a stick of black carbon material
2. a very dark grey color
3. a stick of black carbon material used for drawing
4. a carbonaceous material obtained by heating wood or other organic matter in the absence of air

Verb

1. draw, trace, or represent with charcoal