noun

der Bleistift, -e

pencil

Ein Schreibgerät mit einer Mine aus Graphit, das meist von Holz umgeben ist und zum Schreiben oder Zeichnen benutzt wird.

Definition & meaning

A Bleistift is a pencil: a writing or drawing tool with a thin graphite core, usually enclosed in wood. Despite its name, it does not normally contain lead.

Grammar & word origin

Bleistift is a masculine noun: der Bleistift. Its plural is die Bleistifte.

The word is a compound of Blei (“lead”) and Stift (“writing implement” or “stick”). The name comes from a time when graphite was mistaken for lead.

Synonyms & antonyms

Graphitstift — a close synonym that describes the graphite core more precisely; it is less common in everyday speech.
Stift — a broader term for a writing or drawing implement, not necessarily a pencil.

There is no standard antonym.