Trowel - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A trowel is a small handheld tool with a flat, pointed blade, used for spreading, smoothing, or scooping materials like mortar, plaster, or soil in gardening and construction.
Definition:
A small handheld tool with a flat blade, used for spreading or shaping mortar or plaster.
Synonyms:
spatula, scoop, scraper
Part of Speech:
noun, verb
Antonyms:
hammer, chisel
Common Collocations:
gardening trowel, masonry trowel, spread mortar, smooth plaster
Derivatives:
troweling, troweled (or trowelled)
Usage Tips:
Use a trowel to evenly spread mortar when laying bricks or tiles for a smooth finish.
Common Phrases:
lay it on with a trowel, trowel in hand
Etymology:
From Old French *truelle*, derived from Latin *trulla*, meaning small ladle or scoop.
Examples:
- 1. She used a trowel to plant the seedlings in the garden.
- 2. The mason smoothed the mortar with his trowel before placing the brick.
- 3. A gardening trowel is essential for digging small holes and transplanting plants.
- 4. He carefully lifted the fragile artifact with a small archaeological trowel.