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Lead pencil: meaning, definitions and examples

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lead pencil

[ liːd ˈpɛnsəl ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

writing instrument

A pencil consisting of a graphite or carbon core enclosed in a wooden case.

Synonyms

graphite pencil, pencil.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lead pencil	Used colloquially, but technically incorrect because modern pencils do not contain lead. Appropriate in informal settings or when referencing older terminology. Grandpa always called it a lead pencil, even though it's made of graphite. Can you pass me a lead pencil?
graphite pencil	More technically accurate, often used in educational, scientific, or artistic contexts to specify the material inside the pencil. For this art project, you need a graphite pencil. Graphite pencils come in varying degrees of hardness.
pencil	General term, suitable for everyday use when the specificity of the material (graphite) does not need to be mentioned. Do you have a pencil I can borrow? She used a pencil to write down her notes.

Word

Description / Examples

lead pencil

Used colloquially, but technically incorrect because modern pencils do not contain lead. Appropriate in informal settings or when referencing older terminology.

Grandpa always called it a lead pencil, even though it's made of graphite.
Can you pass me a lead pencil?

graphite pencil

More technically accurate, often used in educational, scientific, or artistic contexts to specify the material inside the pencil.

For this art project, you need a graphite pencil.
Graphite pencils come in varying degrees of hardness.

pencil

General term, suitable for everyday use when the specificity of the material (graphite) does not need to be mentioned.

Do you have a pencil I can borrow?
She used a pencil to write down her notes.

Examples of usage

I prefer using a lead pencil for sketching.
She always carries a lead pencil in her bag.

Translations

Translations of the word "lead pencil" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lápis de grafite

🇮🇳 सीसा पेंसिल

🇩🇪 Bleistift

🇮🇩 pensil timah

🇺🇦 графітний олівець

🇵🇱 ołówek grafitowy

🇯🇵 鉛筆 (えんぴつ)

🇫🇷 crayon à papier

🇪🇸 lápiz de grafito

🇹🇷 kurşun kalem

🇰🇷 연필 (연필)

🇸🇦 قلم رصاص

🇨🇿 grafitová tužka

🇸🇰 grafitová ceruzka

🇨🇳 铅笔 (qiānbǐ)

🇸🇮 grafitni svinčnik

🇮🇸 blýantur

🇰🇿 графит қарындаш

🇬🇪 გრაფიტის ფანქარი

🇦🇿 qrafit karandaş

🇲🇽 lápiz de grafito

Etymology

The term 'lead pencil' is a misnomer, as pencils do not contain lead. The graphite core in pencils was originally thought to be a form of lead, hence the name. The modern lead pencil, with a graphite core, was developed in the 16th century. Since then, it has become a popular writing instrument used worldwide.