chalk

1 of 2

noun

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 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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
With markers, paints, and chalk, the real star here is the carrying case that easily converts into a two-sided easel. Toby Rose, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024 From the quarters onward though, the draw went chalk, with the top four teams all advancing to the semis as expected. Todd Boss, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Verb
Berk chalked it up to opting out of a contract renewal amid reports of drama on set, which were further fueled by a Rolling Stone report. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 25 Oct. 2024 Call it the new school year, new me energy that still persists long after graduation, or chalk it up to all the fashion weeks ‘round the world, but our editors are brimming with new season inspiration. Karina Hoshikawa, refinery29.com, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chalk 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of chalk was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near chalk

Cite this Entry

“Chalk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chalk. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

chalk

1 of 2 noun
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 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
: 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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on chalk

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