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Definitions

pencil

[pen-suhl] / ˈpɛn səl /
NOUN
ray
Synonyms
STRONGEST
glimmer light radiation
STRONG
bar blaze blink emanation flash flicker gleam glint glitter hint incandescence irradiation moonbeam patch radiance scintilla shaft shine spark sparkle streak stream sunbeam trace wave
Antonyms
STRONG
dullness
VERB
draw
Synonyms
STRONGEST
mark paint write
STRONG
caricature chart compose crayon delineate depict describe design draft engrave etch express form formulate frame graph limn model outline portray prepare profile sketch trace
WEAK
map out
VERB
write
Synonyms
STRONGEST
address compose create draft note pen print record rewrite scrawl scribble sign tell
STRONG
author autograph chalk commit communicate copy correspond engross formulate ghost indite ink inscribe letter reproduce scribe transcribe typewrite
WEAK
bang out comp dash off draw up drop a line drop a note jot down knock off knock out note down push a pencil put in writing scriven set down set forth take down turn out write down write up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
destroy ignore ruin
STRONG
keep stop
WEAK
read

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But if costs continue higher for much longer, future construction projects are at risk of delays or even cancellations because they would no longer pencil out.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

However, nonconductive materials like fingernails or pencil erasers do not alter the electric field, so the screen does not respond.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

He said she had pointed a broken pencil at him.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

"Jeff Goldblum names his favourite pencil and a random Midlander describes his hometown... Friday nights on BBC One are now cosy but mundane," she wrote, in a three-star review.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

Colin removes his rucksack, and while he fishes for pencil and paper I walk through the flat.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Vocabulary lists containing pencil

Spelling Practice, Unit 7

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!