Words / B2

CHAHK-ohl/ˈtʃɑːkəʊl/

Charcoal is a black carbon material from burnt wood, used for drawing, fuel, or filters (often uncountable): charcoal sketch; activated charcoal. Coal is mined fossil fuel (already in the dictionary); carbon is the element (already elsewhere). Activated charcoal featured in the filtration practical. Mix-up: charcoal vs charred; choral. Do not write charcoal for pencil graphite.

Meaning

A black carbon material from burnt wood, used for drawing or fuel (often uncountable).

Examples

• “Activated charcoal featured in the filtration practical, not a barbecue brand.”
• “A charcoal study featured in the art brief, which is the drawing sense.”

Good to know

charcoal sketch / drawing; activated charcoal; charcoal as fuel. Mined fuel: coal. Trap: choral. Science, art, and geography. Burnt-wood carbon, not a pencil lead.

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