chalk

1 of 2

noun

ˈchȯk 

1

a

: a soft white, gray, or buff limestone composed chiefly of the shells of foraminifers

b

: a prepared form of chalk or a material resembling chalk especially when used (as for writing on blackboards) as a crayon

2

a

: a mark made with chalk

b

British : a point scored in a game

chalky

ˈchȯ-kē 

adjective

chalk

2 of 2

verb

chalked; chalking; chalks

transitive verb

1

: to write or draw with chalk

2

: to rub or mark with chalk

3

a

: to delineate roughly : sketch

b

: to set down or add up with or as if with chalk : record

—usually used with up

chalk up the totals

intransitive verb

: to become chalky

the paint had begun to chalk

Examples of chalk in a Sentence

Noun

The teacher handed her a piece of chalk and asked her to write the answer on the chalkboard.

He put chalk marks on the stage to show the actors where they should stand.

They drew pictures on the sidewalk with colored chalks.

Verb

She chalked a message on the side of the barn.

He chalked the stage to show the actors where they should stand.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Currently, the bag comes in three sizes and various earth tones of inky green, chalk white, and full-bodied reds. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2025

Use chalk paint for a sleek matte look or decoupage to add patterns and designs. —Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2024

Verb

Listen to this article Loading your audio article Sean Payton essentially chalked the offensive stats up to garbage time. —Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 10 Jan. 2025

Marc Spiegler, the former director of Art Basel, the world’s most important fair for modern and contemporary art, chalks that up to the professionalization of the field. —Sarah Douglas, ARTnews.com, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English chalk, schalke "chalk, lime," going back to Old English cealc, calc "limestone, chalk, lime," going back to West Germanic *kalka- (whence also Old Saxon & Middle Dutch calc "lime," Old High German kalc, chalch "lime, chalk"), borrowed from Latin calc-, calx "lime, limestone," perhaps borrowed from Greek chalik-, chálix "gravel, rubble (used as building material)," of uncertain origin

Note: The attribution of the Latin word to Greek is conventional, though the meanings are divergent, and the syncope in the Latin word is irregular. Perhaps both words were borrowed independently from a third language. Compare calculus.

Verb

derivative of chalk entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1580, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing chalk

• chalk (something) up to
• chalk talk
• chalk up
• French chalk
• not by a long chalk

Kids Definition

chalk

1 of 2 noun

ˈchȯk 

1

: a soft white, gray, or buff limestone made up mainly of the shells of tiny saltwater animals and especially foraminifers

2

: chalk or material like chalk especially when used as a crayon

chalky

ˈchȯ-kē 

adjective

chalk

2 of 2 verb

1

: to rub, mark, write, or draw with chalk

2

a

: to outline roughly

chalk out a plan

b

: to record or add up with or as if with chalk

chalk up the totals

Etymology

Noun

Old English cealc "chalk," from Latin calc-, calx "lime" — related to calcium

Medical Definition

chalk

noun

ˈchȯk 

: a soft white, gray, or buff limestone composed chiefly of the shells of foraminifers and sometimes used medicinally as a source of calcium carbonate

called also creta

see precipitated chalk, prepared chalk

chalky

ˈchȯ-kē 

adjective