noun

charcoal

CHAH-kohl

noun

A black, carbon-rich material made by burning wood slowly without much oxygen, used as fuel or in cooking.

"They lit the charcoal early so the barbecue would be ready by evening."

A stick of compressed carbon used for drawing, or a drawing made with it.

"The artist sketched the portrait in charcoal."

A very dark grey colour.

"He wore a charcoal suit to the interview."

How to Use Charcoal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBurnt carbon used for fuel or drawing, or the dark grey colour associated with it.

Common pairings

charcoal grill charcoal drawing charcoal grey

more charcoal comparative, charcoaled past tense, charcoals plural, charcoals singular, most charcoal superlative

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They lit the _____ early so the barbecue would be ready by evening.

From Middle English charcole, likely combining char ("to turn or char") with cole ("coal").

coal foal goal shoal