# charcoal

/ˈtʃɑɹˌkoʊɫ/ (US) · /tʃˈɑːkəʊl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/charcoal
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 4. colour description

adjective · CEFR B2

having a very dark grey colour.

For teachers: of a dark grey colour; frequently used in the context of formal clothing or interior design.

- He wore a charcoal suit to the wedding to look professional but not too formal.
- The designer recommended charcoal upholstery for the sofa to provide a sophisticated contrast against the white gallery walls.

### 5. to cook

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to cook food over a fire made of charcoal.

For teachers: to grill or sear food using charcoal as the primary heat source.

- The restaurant is famous because they charcoal all their vegetables.
- The chef prefers to charcoal the octopus over high heat to achieve a smoky exterior while maintaining a tender texture.

## Examples

- We need more charcoal for the barbecue.
- The artist used a stick of charcoal to create deep, dark shadows in the portrait.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.