ENGLISH
REFERENCE

charcoal

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈtʃɑɹˌkoʊɫ// UK //tʃˈɑːkəʊl// char·coal

n. a black material made by burning wood without much air. You use it for cooking on a grill or for drawing.

n. a porous black solid consisting of an amorphous form of carbon, obtained as a residue when wood or other organic matter is heated in the absence of air.


SIMPLE

We need more charcoal for the barbecue.

CONTEXTUAL

The artist used a stick of charcoal to create deep, dark shadows in the portrait.

COMPLEX

Activated charcoal is frequently utilized in medical settings to treat certain types of poisoning because its high surface area allows it to adsorb toxins before they enter the bloodstream.

Synonyms
Origin

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.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the material or fuel; countable when referring to individual sticks used for drawing.

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