chalk

1 of 2

noun

ˈchȯk How to pronounce chalk (audio)
1
a
: a soft white, gray, or buff limestone composed chiefly of the shells of foraminifers
b
: a prepared form of chalk or a material resembling chalk especially when used (as for writing on blackboards) as a crayon
2
a
: a mark made with chalk
b
British : a point scored in a game
chalky
ˈchȯ-kē How to pronounce chalk (audio)
adjective

chalk

2 of 2

verb

chalked; chalking; chalks

transitive verb

1
: to write or draw with chalk
2
: to rub or mark with chalk
3
a
: to delineate roughly : sketch
b
: to set down or add up with or as if with chalk : record
—usually used with up
chalk up the totals

intransitive verb

: to become chalky
the paint had begun to chalk

Examples of chalk in a Sentence

Noun The teacher handed her a piece of chalk and asked her to write the answer on the chalkboard. He put chalk marks on the stage to show the actors where they should stand. They drew pictures on the sidewalk with colored chalks. Verb She chalked a message on the side of the barn. He chalked the stage to show the actors where they should stand.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
For those who enjoy a streamlined high acid champagne with green apple, tart lemon and a hint of lime and chalk, this is your go to bubbly. —Liz Thach, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 Best Bet to Win Super Bowl 59: Chiefs (+420) FD This is chalk, but the Chiefs are still the best bet to win the Super Bowl, even as the betting favorite. —Matt Modi, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Pollster Gabe Sanchez, of BSP Research, chalked it up more to the fact that both candidates this time were Latino. —John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 12 Nov. 2024 Cooper chalks the Republicans' statewide lead in early voting turnout this year up to former President Trump encouraging his supporters to vote early. —Alexandria Sands, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chalk 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English chalk, schalke "chalk, lime," going back to Old English cealc, calc "limestone, chalk, lime," going back to West Germanic *kalka- (whence also Old Saxon & Middle Dutch calc "lime," Old High German kalc, chalch "lime, chalk"), borrowed from Latin calc-, calx "lime, limestone," perhaps borrowed from Greek chalik-, chálix "gravel, rubble (used as building material)," of uncertain origin

Note: The attribution of the Latin word to Greek is conventional, though the meanings are divergent, and the syncope in the Latin word is irregular. Perhaps both words were borrowed independently from a third language. Compare calculus.

Verb

derivative of chalk entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1580, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chalk was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing chalk

Dictionary Entries Near chalk

Chalina

chalk

chalk blue

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Chalk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chalk. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

chalk

1 of 2 noun
ˈchȯk How to pronounce chalk (audio)
1
: a soft white, gray, or buff limestone made up mainly of the shells of tiny saltwater animals and especially foraminifers
2
: chalk or material like chalk especially when used as a crayon
chalky
ˈchȯ-kē How to pronounce chalk (audio)
adjective

chalk

2 of 2 verb
1
: to rub, mark, write, or draw with chalk
2
a
: to outline roughly
chalk out a plan
b
: to record or add up with or as if with chalk
chalk up the totals
Etymology

Noun

Old English cealc "chalk," from Latin calc-, calx "lime" — related to calcium

Medical Definition

chalk

noun
ˈchȯk How to pronounce chalk (audio)
: a soft white, gray, or buff limestone composed chiefly of the shells of foraminifers and sometimes used medicinally as a source of calcium carbonate

called also creta

see precipitated chalk, prepared chalk
chalky
ˈchȯ-kē How to pronounce chalk (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on chalk

Nglish: Translation of chalk for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of chalk for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chalk

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