Definition

1. Noun:

   • A thin cylindrical pointed writing or drawing implement: A tool consisting of a thin rod of graphite (or similar marking substance) encased in a wooden cylinder, used for writing, drawing, or sketching.
   • A cosmetic in a long thin stick: A cosmetic product shaped like a thin stick, designed to be applied to specific parts of the face, such as the eyebrows or lips.
   • A figure formed by a set of straight lines or light rays meeting at a point: In geometry and physics, a collection of lines, rays, or planes that all intersect at a single common point.
   • Graphite used as a medium: The graphite core itself, considered as a medium for communication or art.

2. Verb:

   • To write, draw, or trace with a pencil: The act of using a pencil to create marks, text, or images.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • She sharpened her pencil before starting the exam.
  • She used an eyebrow pencil to define her brows.
  • The artist preferred the softness of pencil over ink.
  • In geometry, a pencil of lines converges at a single point.

• Verb:

  • He penciled a quick sketch of the landscape in his notebook.
  • Please pencil in the meeting for next Tuesday.

Advanced Usage

• "To pencil something in": To make a tentative or provisional appointment or plan, with the understanding it may be changed.
  • Let's pencil in a lunch date for Friday, and I'll confirm tomorrow.

Variants and Related Words

• Pencil case (n): A small bag or box for holding pencils and other writing tools.
• Pencil sharpener (n): A device used to sharpen a pencil by shaving its wooden casing to expose a fresh point.
• Pencil sketch (n): A drawing made primarily with a pencil.
• Penciled (adj): Written, drawn, or marked with a pencil. (e.g., )
• Pencil-thin (adj): Very slender or thin, like a pencil.

Synonyms

• Writing implement: Implement, tool.
• For drawing: Sketching tool, graphite stick.
• For cosmetics: Brow definer, liner.
• For the verb: Sketch, draft, jot down.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Pencil in: (As described in Advanced Usage) To schedule tentatively.
• Pencil out: To calculate or work out the details of something, often on paper.
  • We need to pencil out the budget before committing.

Related Idioms

• Put pencil to paper: To begin writing or drawing.
  • After months of planning, he finally put pencil to paper and started his novel.

Noun

1. a cosmetic in a long thin stick; designed to be applied to a particular part of the face
   • an eyebrow pencil
2. a figure formed by a set of straight lines or light rays meeting at a point
3. 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
4. a thin cylindrical pointed writing implement; a rod of marking substance encased in wood

Verb

1. write, draw, or trace with a pencil
   • he penciled a figure