pencil
/ˈpensl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpensl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpen(t)-səl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈpen.səl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpen.səl/ (ame, ipa)
pencil — noun
1. a slim tool with a dark or coloured center, used to make words or pictures and o
a slim tool with a dark or coloured center, used to make words or pictures and often easy to erase
Eva sharpened her pencil before the math test began.
collocation: sharpen a pencil
A yellow pencil rolled off the desk during art class.
Ben wrote his phone number in pencil on the paper map.
Three short pencils lay beside the library computer.
The child used a blue pencil to color the fish.
- writing tool
a broader term that also includes pens and markers
- graphite pencil
the usual dark writing type
- colored pencil
a similar tool used mainly to add color
文法句型
write in pencil
sharpen a pencil
use a pencil to draw
用法筆記
Often appears in the phrase 'in pencil' when the writing can be changed later. Distinguish from 'pen', which uses ink and is usually less easy to remove.
常見錯誤
2. a stick of make-up in a pencil shape, used to add color or lines around the eyes
a stick of make-up in a pencil shape, used to add color or lines around the eyes, lips, or brows
Nina used a brown eyebrow pencil before the school play.
collocation: eyebrow pencil
The make-up artist kept three lip pencils in a metal box.
plural form: lip pencils
After lunch, Rosa fixed her eye make-up with a black pencil.
At the make-up shop, May tested a soft pencil on her hand.
This pencil is for lips, not for writing notes.
- make-up pencil
a direct near-synonym and general term
- eyeliner
narrower; used only around the eyes
- lip liner
narrower; used only on the lips
文法句型
eyebrow pencil
lip pencil
use a pencil on the eyes
用法筆記
Usually used with the face part named before it, especially 'eyebrow pencil', 'eye pencil', and 'lip pencil'. Distinguish from noun/1, which is for writing or drawing on paper.
常見錯誤
3. a very narrow line of light coming through a small opening
a very narrow line of light coming through a small opening
A pencil of light slipped under the bedroom door.
fixed phrase: a pencil of light
Through the cave roof, a pale pencil of light touched the wet stone.
In the dark hall, one pencil of light showed the keyhole clearly.
When the curtains moved, a thin pencil of light crossed the floor.
From the attic window, a narrow pencil of sunlight reached the stairs.
文法句型
a pencil of light
a pencil of sunlight
用法筆記
Most often appears in the fixed pattern 'a pencil of light'. This literary sense is much rarer than noun/1 and usually appears in descriptive writing.
pencil — adjective
1. made with pencil marks rather than ink or paint
made with pencil marks rather than ink or paint
The gallery wall held a pencil sketch of the old harbor.
collocation: pencil sketch
Grace found a pencil note inside her history book.
before noun: pencil note
On the table lay two pencil drawings of sleeping cats.
The teacher asked for a pencil outline, not a painted poster.
The art class displayed her pencil drawing of the old bridge.
- sketched
often suggests a quick drawing, not necessarily made with a pencil
- hand-drawn
broader; the marks may be made with ink, chalk, or pencil
- graphite
a more technical art label based on the material
文法句型
pencil sketch
pencil drawing
pencil note
用法筆記
Usually appears before a noun, especially with art or short written material: 'pencil sketch', 'pencil drawing', 'pencil note'. Distinguish from verb/1, which names the act of making the marks.
pencil — verb
1. to write, draw, or add marks using a pencil
to write, draw, or add marks using a pencil
Omar penciled the price on the box lid.
pencil + object + place
Before dinner, Hana penciled a star beside her favorite song.
The nurse penciled today's weight on the chart.
At the campsite, Leo penciled our route on the paper map.
Ms. Chen penciled page numbers on the class handouts.
- erase
removes pencil marks instead of making them
文法句型
pencil something
pencil a note on something
pencil numbers on a page
用法筆記
Object is usually a short note, number, line, or simple picture. For tentative scheduling, English much more often uses the phrasal verb 'pencil in' than plain 'pencil'.