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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.

trowel

/ˈtraʊəl/ /ˈtraʊəl/

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.

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