Word
charcoal
Phoneticschar·coal, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtʃɑɹˌkoʊɫ/
UK/tʃˈɑːkəʊl/
Definitions
01fuel for fire
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a black material made from burnt wood that you use as fuel for a fire or barbecue.
n. a form of carbon obtained by heating wood or other organic substances in the absence of oxygen, primarily used as fuel.
“We bought a large bag of charcoal for the barbecue this weekend.”
“The chef insisted on using artisanal charcoal to ensure the grilled vegetables acquired a subtle, smoky aroma without the chemical aftertaste of lighter fluid.”
02art material
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Theater
n. a stick of black carbon used for drawing, or a picture made with it.
n. a stick of prepared carbon used as a medium for sketching; also refers to a finished work of art produced using this medium.
Español:carboncillo
“The artist used a piece of charcoal to sketch the model's face.”
“The gallery featured several expressive charcoals that captured the stark contrast of light and shadow in the industrial landscape.”
03a dark grey colour
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a very dark grey colour, like the colour of burnt wood.
n. a neutral, very dark grey hue resembling the appearance of carbonised wood.
“The walls were painted in a soft charcoal to make the room feel cosy.”
“The designer recommended charcoal for the accent wall to provide a sophisticated backdrop for the vibrant contemporary paintings.”
Synonyms
04dark grey in colour
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having a very dark grey colour.
adj. denoting a dark grey colour; frequently used in the context of fashion and interior design.
“He wore a charcoal suit to the wedding.”
“She opted for a charcoal wool coat, noting that the dark neutral tone would be more versatile than standard black for professional settings.”
Real-World Examples
“Because charcoal is made from burned organic material, it can often be dated using this method.” “Scientists examined 266 charcoal fragments under a microscope, identifying the internal wood structure to determine which plant species had been burned.” “The deepest and oldest layer contained only charcoal fragments, which were dated to approximately 6,000 years ago.” Etymology
From Middle English charcole, from charren (“to change, turn”) + cole (“coal”), from Old English cierran (“to change, turn”) + col (“coal”); equivalent to char (Etymology 3 (verb)) + coal.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/charcoal
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0