crayon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A2informal, everyday, educational
Quick answer
What does “crayon” mean?
A stick of coloured wax, charcoal, or chalk, used for drawing or colouring.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A stick of coloured wax, charcoal, or chalk, used for drawing or colouring.
A drawing made with this implement; in computing, a tool in graphics software that simulates its effect; to draw or colour with crayons.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Pronunciation differs significantly: UK /ˈkreɪ.ɒn/ vs. US /ˈkreɪ.ɑːn/. The word is equally common in both varieties but the verb usage (to crayon) is less frequent.
Connotations
Identical core meaning and childish/artistic connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
High frequency in educational and domestic contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “crayon” in a Sentence
[V] to crayon (a picture)[N] a crayon made of wax[V + OBJ] She crayoned the sky blue.[N + of + N] a crayon of remarkable qualityVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crayon” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The toddler happily crayoned all over the new wallpaper.
- He spent the afternoon crayoning in his book.
American English
- The kids crayoned pictures of their family.
- Please don't crayon on the table.
adverb
British English
- (Rare/Unstandardised) The drawing was done crayon-style.
American English
- (Rare/Unstandardised) He coloured it in, very crayon-like.
adjective
British English
- The mural had a lovely, soft crayon effect.
- It was a simple crayon sketch.
American English
- She loved the crayon smell of a new box.
- The artist is known for his crayon drawings.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific industries like toy manufacturing or stationery.
Academic
Used in educational research (early childhood development, art therapy) and art history contexts.
Everyday
Very common, especially in contexts involving children, schools, or casual art.
Technical
In graphic design software, a 'crayon' may refer to a specific brush or tool texture.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crayon”
- Misspelling as 'crayen' or 'cranyon'.
- Using 'crayon' to refer to a standard graphite pencil.
- Incorrect plural: 'crayons' (not 'crayon').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is always two syllables: cray-on (/ˈkreɪ.ɒn/ or /ˈkreɪ.ɑːn/). The one-syllable pronunciation 'cran' is a regional variant in parts of the US but is non-standard.
Yes, though it's less common than the noun. It means 'to draw or colour with a crayon' (e.g., 'The children crayoned pictures of animals').
Crayons are typically harder, made with wax or oil, and are associated with children's art. Pastels are softer, made with pure pigment and a binder, are more blendable, and are used by artists for fine art.
The standard plural is 'crayons'. It is a regular noun, so you simply add an 's'.
A stick of coloured wax, charcoal, or chalk, used for drawing or colouring.
Crayon is usually informal, everyday, educational in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not in the same box of crayons (informal: not very intelligent)”
- “A few crayons short of a box (informal: not very intelligent)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CRAB drawing with a crAYON. The 'cray' sounds like 'crayfish' (a type of crab) and the 'on' reminds you it's a tool you use *on* paper.
Conceptual Metaphor
CREATIVITY IS A CHILD'S TOOL (e.g., 'We need to think outside the box, get the crayons out again.')
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common association with the word 'crayon'?