in crayon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in crayon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is drawn or written using crayon as a medium, often in a playful or informal context. Example: "The children created a beautiful mural in crayon on the classroom wall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

In crayon.

The New York Times

Scrawled in crayon, it read: "Please Help.

The Guardian

"Dear Mom-Mom," he wrote in crayon, "Happy Mother's Day.

The New York Times

Not working on Friday, writing in crayon, and other quirky habits of famous authors.

The New Yorker

(She drew her interpretation of the character — in crayon — on the envelope).

The New York Times

I see her cheeks red, almost as if colored in crayon.

The New Yorker

TUCSON — There are stuffed animals of all possible species and notes written by children in crayon.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

And regardless of your race, we all agree that the built-in crayon sharper on the Crayola crayon box is stupid and doesn't work.

Huffington Post

The film is divided into two sections, one shot in glowing, nocturnal 35-millimeter black-and-white and the other in crayon-bright, hand-held digital video.

The New York Times

But it doesn't take long for the creepiness to return; Julie finds some pictures that Victor drew of Mme Payet, her stomach coloured in crayon-red.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Six characters in crayon-colored spandex drew thousands of excited kids to Universal Studios on Monday.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in crayon" to evoke a sense of childlike simplicity, playfulness, or informality in your writing. It's effective for describing drawings, notes, or messages created with crayons.

Common error

Avoid using "in crayon" in professional or academic writing unless you intentionally want to create a whimsical or ironic effect. In those contexts, more formal language is usually more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in crayon" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb or noun, indicating the medium or material used in an action (like drawing or writing). Ludwig's examples illustrate how it specifies the means by which something is created.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in crayon" is a common prepositional phrase used to describe something drawn or written using crayon. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and its use is widespread across various contexts. While most frequently found in News & Media, it also appears in Academia and other sources. Ludwig's examples indicate that it typically communicates informality or childlikeness. When aiming for formality, consider alternatives like "with crayons" or "using crayons".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with crayons

Focuses on the tools used, emphasizing the act of using crayons.

drawn with crayon

Specifies the medium used for creating a drawing.

written with crayon

Highlights the use of crayon for writing text.

in colored pencil

Suggests a similar drawing material, offering a slightly different visual effect.

using crayon

A more general term for employing crayon as a medium.

crayon drawing

Emphasizes the artwork itself rather than the action.

crayon writing

Highlights that the crayon is being used to write.

done in crayon

Highlights the completion or creation of something using crayon.

colored with crayon

Emphasizes the coloring aspect of using crayon.

sketched in crayon

Emphasizes the creation of a preliminary drawing using crayon.

FAQs

How can I use "in crayon" in a sentence?

You can use "in crayon" to describe something that has been drawn or written with crayons. For example, "The child drew a picture "in crayon"."

What are some alternatives to saying "in crayon"?

Alternatives include "with crayons", "drawn with crayon", or "using crayon". The best choice depends on the specific context and what you want to emphasize.

Is it appropriate to use "in crayon" in formal writing?

Generally, "in crayon" is more appropriate for informal or creative contexts. In formal writing, consider using more neutral phrases like "using colored pencils" or simply describing the visual elements without mentioning the medium.

What does it imply when something is described as being "in crayon"?

Describing something as being "in crayon" often suggests a childlike quality, simplicity, or informality. It can also imply that something is not meant to be taken too seriously, or that it was created by a child.