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# talc

noun (talc, uncountable)

«talc» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Talc is a very soft, white or grey mineral that feels soapy or greasy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/talc/#m1)
2. Talc (talcum powder) is a fine powder made from it, used on skin to keep it dry or to stop rubbing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/talc/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science lessons talc is the softest mineral, number 1 on the Mohs scale of hardness (diamond is 10); you can scratch it with a fingernail. In everyday life it is in baby powder and used by gymnasts and climbers for grip. Phrases: talcum powder, as soft as talc.

### Examples

- Talc is so soft you can scratch it with your fingernail. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/talc/#x1)
- On the Mohs scale, talc is 1 and diamond is 10. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/talc/#x2)
- Mum put talc on the baby after the bath. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/talc/#x3)
- The gymnast clapped talc onto her hands. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/talc/#x4)
- Talcum powder smells of flowers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/talc/#x5)
- We tested which rocks were harder than talc. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/talc/#x6)
- Talc feels smooth and soapy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/talc/#x7)

### Note

Uncountable: «some talc». Talcum powder is often just called talc. Some people now use cornflour-based powder instead, because talc dust should not be breathed in. Do not confuse with chalk.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «talc» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/talc/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«talc» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/talc.html) on Mova free.