a sharp pointed device attached to the cartridge of a record player
"He carefully wiped the dust off the stylus before placing it back on the spinning vinyl record."
An ancient writing implement consisting of a small rod with a pointed end for scratching letters on clay, wax-covered tablets or other surfaces, and a blunt end for obliterating them.
"The scribe used the stylus to scratch his name onto the wet clay tablet before smoothing over any mistakes with its blunt end."
A small implement with a pointed end used for engraving and tracing.
"The artist carefully selected a hard metal stylus to etch fine lines onto the copper plate."
In plain English: A stylus is a pen-like tool used to write on screens or draw with digital devices.
"She used her finger instead of a stylus because she had forgotten to bring hers on tablet day."
Usage: A stylus is the modern digital pen used to write directly on touchscreens rather than an ancient tool for scratching clay. Use this word specifically when referring to input devices like those found in tablets or e-readers, not general writing instruments such as pencils or pens.
The word "stylus" comes from the Latin stylus, which originally meant a stake or pale. It is likely not directly related to the Ancient Greek word for a pillar and is considered a doublet of the word "style."