What is charcoal? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of charcoal in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of charcoal

charcoalnoun

than củi

/ˈtʃɑːkəʊl//ˈtʃɑːrkəʊl/

Where does the word charcoal come from?

The origin of the word "charcoal" can be traced back to medieval times. The term initially referred to the charred remains of brief wooden fires, which were often used to light cooking fires or as a source of light in torches. The word "charcoal" is a compound word made up of two Old English words: "cearu" which means "burn" and "col" which means "coal." The term charcoal, therefore, implies that this product is burnt, or cooked coal. Over time, charcoal became more important as a fuel source due to its higher calorific value and lower levels of smoke compared to other fuels. The process of producing charcoal, called pyrolsis, involves heating wood in the absence of oxygen, which removes the volatile components, leaving only the carbon structure behind. In addition to its use as a fuel source, charcoal has numerous other applications. Because it is almost pure carbon, it is widely used as an artist's medium, a grilling aid, in water filters, and as a form of carbon capture. In summary, the word "charcoal" is derived from Old English words "cearu" and "col," which translates literally to "burnt coal." Its widespread use today extends from fuel and art supplies to industrial applications such as capture of carbon emissions.

Vocabulary summary charcoal

typenoun

meaningthan (firewood)

exampleanimal charcoal

meaningcharcoal (for drawing)

meaningcharcoal drawing

typetransitive verb

meaningcharcoal; write with charcoal; draw with charcoal

exampleanimal charcoal

Example of vocabulary charcoalnamespace

meaning

a black substance made by burning wood slowly in an oven with little air. Charcoal is used as a fuel or for drawing.

  • charcoal-grilled steaks
  • a charcoal drawing
  • The grill was lit with charcoal, creating a smoky aroma that wafted through the air.
  • The artist used charcoal to sketch a rough draft of the portrait before finishing it with paint.
  • The fireplace crackled as the charcoal ignited, filling the room with a warm glow.
meaning

a very dark grey colour


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