chalk

chalk — noun

IPA/tʃɔːk/
KK[tʃˈɔk]IPA/tʃɔːk/
  • chalksingular
  • chalksplural

1. a soft, light-coloured natural stone that was formed from the shells of tiny sea

1.nounB2
Definition

a soft, light-coloured natural stone that was formed from the shells of tiny sea creatures over millions of years and is used in making cement and as a writing material

Example

The white cliffs along the southern coast of England are made of chalk.

collocation: chalk cliffs / chalk coast

Farmers sometimes add crushed chalk to their fields to reduce the acidity of the soil.

add crushed chalk to soil

Common collocations
  • chalk cliff
  • chalk soil
  • powdered chalk
  • chalk deposit
  • layer of chalk
Synonyms
  • limestone

    a broader category of sedimentary rock; chalk is a specific soft type of limestone

  • calcite

    the mineral that makes up chalk; used in technical or scientific contexts

2. a short stick of white or coloured material that people rub against a blackboard

2.nounA2
Definition

a short stick of white or coloured material that people rub against a blackboard or pavement to leave a visible mark

Example

The teacher picked up a piece of chalk and wrote the answer on the blackboard.

piece of chalk

Leila drew a colourful rainbow on the pavement using bright sticks of coloured chalk.

coloured chalk / sticks of chalk

Common collocations
  • piece of chalk
  • stick of chalk
  • coloured chalk
  • white chalk
  • chalk dust
  • box of chalk
Synonyms
  • crayon

    a stick of wax or oil colour used on paper; does not create dust and is not used on blackboards

  • pastel

    a soft, crumbly stick of pigment used for fine-art drawing; richer colours than classroom chalk

Usage Note

When used as a countable noun (a chalk, two chalks), the word refers to individual sticks used for writing. The uncountable use refers to the material in general.

Common Mistakes

Please hand me a chalk.
Please hand me a piece of chalk.
'Chalk' is uncountable when referring to the material; use 'a piece of chalk' for one stick.
Idioms

chalk and cheese

idiom

Two people or things that are completely different from each other.

Maya and her twin sister are like chalk and cheese.

Although they are brothers, their personalities are chalk and cheese.

not by a long chalk

idiom

Used to say that something is not true or not finished at all.

He hasn't won the race yet, not by a long chalk.

Is the project complete? Not by a long chalk.

chalk — verb

IPA/tʃɔːk/
KK[tʃˈɑk]IPA/tʃɑːk/

Word family

  • chalky
    adjectiveB2
  • chalkiness
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

Chalk, crayon, pastel, and marker are all tools used for writing or drawing, but they differ in material and typical use. Chalk is made from pressed limestone powder and works best on rough dark surfaces such as blackboards or pavement; it is easy to erase and produces noticeable dust. Crayons are made from wax or oil and are designed for use on paper; they do not crumble or create dust and are common in children's art. Pastels are similar to chalk in texture but contain a higher proportion of pigment and binder, giving richer, more vibrant colours; they are used for fine-art drawing on paper or specialised boards. Markers contain liquid ink and write smoothly on smooth surfaces like whiteboards, paper, or glass; they come in permanent and water-soluble types. Choose chalk when writing on a classroom board or creating temporary outdoor drawings.

crayon ↗pastel ↗marker ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • chalk board
  • chalk dust
  • chalk line
  • chalk stick
  • piece of chalk
  • box of chalk
  • stick of chalk

Phrases

Prepositions

  • in chalk
  • with chalk

Etymology

LatinProto-GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

The word 'chalk' comes from Old English 'cealc', which traces back through Proto-Germanic to the Latin word 'calx', meaning 'limestone' or 'lime'. The same Latin root 'calx' also gives us the word 'calcium'. Chalk has been used for writing since medieval times, when teachers and students wrote on slate boards with small pieces of the soft stone.