Definition

The act or process of drawing or writing with a pencil, or the result of such work.

Example

The artist showcased her penciling skills in the detailed sketches.

Conversation

I saw your latest artwork, and I love the penciling you did on that piece.

Thanks! I really enjoyed working on the details.

The shading in your penciling adds so much depth to it.

I appreciate that! It’s all about capturing the light and shadows.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

The action of making marks or drawings with a pencil, often used for sketching or writing that can be easily erased.

Example

She is penciling in the details of her drawing before finalizing it with ink.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Hey, have you started penciling in the dates for our trip?

Not yet, but I plan to do that this weekend.

You should, it will help us stay organized.

Root Explanation

Penciling → It is formed from "pencil" (from Latin *pencillus*, meaning little tail or brush) and "-ing" (a suffix used to indicate the action or process of). The word "penciling" refers to the action of using a pencil to draw or write.

Memory Tip

Think of using a 'little brush' ('pencillus') to create marks on paper — that's what penciling means.

Visually Confused Words