chalk

A soft stick used to write or draw on a board or other surface.

• Pass me the chalk, please.
• The children drew flowers with coloured chalk.
• She wrote the answer in chalk on the board.

Common phrases: piece of chalk, coloured chalk, write in chalk

A soft white rock that easily breaks into powder.

• The cliffs are made of chalk.
• Workers removed chalk from the quarry.
• A thick layer of chalk lies beneath the soil.

Common phrases: chalk cliffs, chalk deposits, layer of chalk

A white powder put on hands to help people hold things firmly during sports.

• She put chalk on her hands.
• The climber reached into his chalk bag.
• Without chalk, my sweaty hands kept slipping off the bar.

Common phrases: climbing chalk, chalk bag, apply chalk

To write or draw using a soft white or colored stick.

• He chalked his name on the wall.
• The teacher chalked three numbers on the board.
• Someone had chalked a welcome message on the pavement.

How to use it: chalk something on something (She chalked the menu on a board outside.)

Common phrases: chalk a message, chalk something on, chalk the score

To rub a dry, powdery substance onto something to improve its grip.

• Chalk your hands before climbing.
• She chalked her cue carefully.
• Have you chalked the tip yet?

How to use it: chalk something (He chalked the tip of his cue before the shot.)

Common phrases: chalk your hands, chalk the cue, chalk the tip

To make lines on a sports field using white powder.

• We chalked the lines before the match.
• The groundskeeper is chalking the football pitch.
• Who will chalk the field tomorrow?

Similar words: line, mark out

Common phrases: chalk the lines, chalk the pitch, chalk the field