stylus

noun

sty·​lus ˈstī-ləs 

plural styli ˈstī(-ə)-ˌlī  also styluses ˈstī-lə-səz 

: an instrument for writing, marking, or incising: such as

a

: an instrument used by the ancients in writing on clay or waxed tablets

b

: a hard-pointed pen-shaped instrument for marking on stencils used in a reproducing machine

c(1)

: needle sense 3c

(2)

: a cutting tool used to produce an original record groove during disc recording

d

: a pen-shaped pointing device used for entering data (such as positional information from a graphics tablet) into a computer

Examples of stylus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The screwdriver and spudger that Framework provides for upgrading and repairing all of its systems does match the color of the laptop, and the two-tone styluses for the touchscreens will also match the laptops when they're made available for purchase in the coming months. —ArsTechnica, 18 June 2025

The stylus can be used to navigate the app and incorporate drawings and handwriting. —Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 10 June 2025

Not that this man can really surprise us anymore, but Bob Dylan has chosen to narrate Machine Gun Kelly’s new album trailer of his own free will, which lifts the stylus on a recent bromance between the two. —Devon Ivie, Vulture, 10 June 2025

Until now, there have been trade-offs between the Fold phones and Samsung's Galaxy Ultra phones, with the latter offering a nicer camera experience, better battery life, and other perks like the stylus. —Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 7 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin stylus, stilus spike, stylus — more at style

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stylus

• eyeless
• majlis
• xylose

Kids Definition

stylus

noun

sty·​lus ˈstī-ləs 

plural styli ˈstī(ə)l-ˌī  also styluses ˈstī-lə-səz 

1

: an instrument used by the ancients for writing on wax tablets

2

: needle entry 1 sense 4

Medical Definition

stylus

noun

sty·​lus

variants also stilus

ˈstī-ləs 

plural styli ˈstī(ə)l-ˌī  also styluses ˈstī-lə-səz  or stili or stiluses

: an instrument for writing, marking, or incising: as

a

: a hard-pointed instrument for punching the dots in writing braille with a braille slate

b

: a device that traces a recording (as of an electrocardiograph) on paper