pencil

Universal Words noun, verb noun [C,U] a narrow piece of wood, or a metal or plastic case, containing a black or coloured substance, used for drawing or writing: a pencil drawing * I'll get a pencil and paper. * She scribbled a note in pencil. * coloured pencils verb (-ll-, AmE -l-) [VN] to write, draw or mark sth with a pencil: a pencilled portrait * A previous owner has pencilled 'First Edition' inside the book's cover. PHRASALVERBS pencil sth/sb<->in to write down sb's name or details of an arrangement with them that you know might have to be changed later: We've pencilled in a meeting for Tuesday afternoon. * Shall I pencil you in for Friday? (= for a meeting) * He was pencilled in to play the detective.