pencil

Definition

A pencil is a tool used for writing or drawing, usually made of wood with a piece of graphite inside. Unlike a pen, its marks can usually be erased.

Usage & Nuances

The usual word is 'pencil'; 'pen' is a different tool. Common collocations are 'sharpen a pencil', 'a colored pencil', 'a mechanical pencil', and 'write in pencil'. In everyday speech, 'pencil in' also means to schedule something tentatively.

Example Sentences