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chalk

n. · v.
US //ˈtʃɑk// UK //tʃˈɔːk// chalk
  1. 1 writing material (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a small stick of soft white or coloured rock used for writing on a blackboard.

    a stick of processed calcium carbonate or gypsum used for writing or drawing on a chalkboard or other rough surface.

    Example

    The teacher picked up a piece of yellow chalk to write the date on the board.

    Example

    The artist used various shades of pastel chalk to create a temporary mural on the pavement outside the gallery.
  2. 2 the white rock (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    a type of soft, white, powdery rock.

    a soft, white, powdery limestone consisting mainly of fossil shells of foraminiferans.

    Example

    The white cliffs are made of chalk that was formed millions of years ago.

    Example

    Geologists examined the chalk deposits to determine the environmental conditions of the Cretaceous period.
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  1. 3 grip powder (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    a powder used by climbers or gymnasts to stop their hands from slipping.

    a powdery substance, typically magnesium carbonate, applied to the hands to improve grip by absorbing moisture.

    Example

    The weightlifter rubbed chalk on his hands before trying to lift the heavy bar.

    Example

    Before attempting the difficult overhang, the climber dipped her hands into her chalk bag to ensure a secure hold on the limestone.
  2. 4 betting favorite (n.)
    C1 Advanced American English Informal Sport

    the person or team that is expected to win a game.

    the consensus favorite in a sporting event or tournament, particularly in the context of betting or bracket predictions.

    Example

    I usually pick the chalk in the first round of the tournament.

    Example

    While many fans hoped for an upset, the results followed the chalk, with every top-seeded team advancing to the semi-finals.
  3. 5 to mark with chalk (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to draw or write something using chalk.

    to mark, draw, or write on a surface using chalk; often used for marking boundaries or recording scores.

    Example

    The groundskeeper began to chalk the lines on the football pitch before the game.

    Example

    The referee proceeded to chalk the position of the free kick to ensure the defensive wall remained at the regulation distance.
Origin

From Middle English chalk, chalke, from Old English ċealc, from Proto-West Germanic *kalk, borrowed from Latin calx (“limestone”), again borrowed from Ancient Greek χάλιξ (khálix, “pebble”). Doublet of calx and cauk.

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