Pencil — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈpen(t)-səl/ pen·cil

Meaning & Definition of Pencil

Pencil (noun)

  1. an artist's brush
  2. an artist's individual skill or style
  3. an implement for writing, drawing, or marking consisting of or containing a slender cylinder or strip of a solid marking substance

Pencil (verb)

  1. to paint, draw, write, or mark with a pencil
  2. to plan or designate tentatively —used with in

Pencil (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in ink, crayon

    similar: crayon, ink, caricature, cartoon, outline, profile, draw, picture, scrawl, scribble, sketch

Related Entry: Pencil (in) (verb)

Pencil (in) is a different word from Pencil. The synonyms below are for pencil (in), not for pencil.

  1. as in pen, scribble

    similar: author, pen, scratch (out), scrawl, scribble, inscribe, notarize, cosign, countersign, endorse, register, sign on, sign up, autograph, ink, sign, subscribe

Related Entry: Blue-pencil (verb)

Blue-pencil is a different word from Pencil. The synonyms below are for blue-pencil, not for pencil.

  1. to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it

    "military censors blue-penciled any remarks that could possibly be deemed critical"

    similar: cancel, cross (out), dele, delete, edit (out), elide, kill, scratch (out), strike (out), stroke (out), x (out)
    related: blot out, efface, eradicate, erase, expunge, obliterate, root (out), rub out, wipe out, bleep, blip, clip, cut, excise, remove, bowdlerize, censor, clean (up), expurgate, launder, redact, red-pencil, abbreviate, crop, shorten, black out, repress, silence, suppress

Related Entry: Red-pencil (verb)

Red-pencil is a different word from Pencil. The synonyms below are for red-pencil, not for pencil.

  1. to remove errors, defects, deficiencies, or deviations from

    "the magazine claims that every article is red-penciled by a team of fact checkers before it ever sees the light of print"

    similar: amend, correct, debug, emend, rectify, reform, remedy
    related: redraft, redraw, restyle, revise, rework, rewrite, blue-pencil, cut, shorten, redress, right, ameliorate, better, improve, perfect, polish, touch up, fix, mend, repair, adjust, modulate, regulate, alter, change, modify
    near: damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, mar, spoil, aggravate, worsen

  2. to remove objectionable parts from

    "a television script that had been heavily red-penciled in abject surrender to political correctness"

    similar: bowdlerize, censor, clean (up), expurgate, launder
    related: cleanse, purge, purify, abbreviate, blue-pencil, edit, shorten, bleep, blip, cut (out), delete, excise, expunge, gut, x (out), black out, repress, silence, suppress, censure, condemn, denounce, examine, review, screen, scrutinize
    near: approve, authorize, sanction

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Pencil

The most common words with a similar meaning to Pencil:

crayon, ink, caricature, cartoon, outline, profile, draw, picture, scrawl, scribble, sketch

Word Forms of Pencil

Inflections: penciled, pencilled, penciling, pencilling

Origin & Etymology of Pencil

Middle English pensel, from Anglo-French pincel, from Vulgar Latin *penicellus, alteration of Latin penicillus, diminutive of peniculus brush, from diminutive of penis tail, penis

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Pencil

Words & Phrases Containing Pencil

pencil pusher, pencil case, pencil in, pencil sharpener, blue-pencil, blue pencil, eyebrow pencil

Frequently Asked Questions about Pencil

What does "Pencil" mean?

"Pencil" means an artist's brush. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: an artist's brush.

What is another word for "Pencil"?

Other words for "Pencil" include crayon, ink, caricature, cartoon, outline, profile, draw and picture. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Pencil" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Pencil"?

There are 11 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Pencil". Common alternatives include crayon, ink, caricature, cartoon, outline, profile, draw, picture, scrawl and scribble.

Is "Pencil" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Pencil" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Pencil" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Pencil" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Pencil"?

"Pencil" is pronounced /ˈpen(t)-səl/ and divided into syllables as pen·cil.

What is the origin of the word "Pencil"?

"Pencil" comes from Middle English pensel, from Anglo-French pincel, from Vulgar Latin *penicellus, alteration of Latin penicillus, diminutive of peniculus brush, from diminutive of penis tail, penis. First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Pencil" meaning "as in ink, crayon"?

When "Pencil" (verb) means as in ink, crayon, synonyms include crayon, ink, caricature, cartoon, outline and profile.