trowel

noun trow·el \ ˈtrau̇(-ə)l \

|Updated on: 16 Jul 2018

Definition of trowel

: any of various hand tools used to apply, spread, shape, or smooth loose or plastic material; also : a scoop-shaped or flat-bladed garden tool for taking up and setting small plants

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Recent Examples of trowel from the Web

Scoop after scoop of deep brown earth dug carefully with a trowel and then gently poured into gallon-size glass jars etched with a name — John Henry James — and a date — July 12, 1898.

— joe heim, Washington Post, "Sacred ground, now reclaimed: A Charlottesville story," 7 July 2018
Remember, Trump has many supporters who won’t back anything short of a stonemason standing alongside the border with a trowel.

— chad pergram, Fox News, "Proposed DACA pathway complicates border wall funding," 25 June 2018
In the months after, a team of firefighters, police and archaeologists sifted through tons of ashes, crawling on hands and knees with small trowels and six-millimeter sieves to find remains.

— jenny gross, WSJ, "A Year After Deadly Grenfell Blaze, One Fireman Is Still Plagued by Doubt," 16 June 2018
Picture it as a narrow, stout and sturdy trowel with one edge a smooth blade and the other a serrated surface.

— paul cappiello, The Courier-Journal, "Forego the 'fart card' for Father's Day. Try one of these gifts instead," 15 June 2018
Use trowel to apply first coat of plaster to hole, pressing in firmly.

— the editors of house beautiful, House Beautiful, "How to Fix Holes or Cracks in Plaster," 11 Feb. 2015
Forgoing expensive paintbrushes, Abueva relies instead on drywall trowels, small paint rollers and brushes that are available at any hardware store.

— tate gunnerson, chicagotribune.com, "After her sons' deaths, Chicago artist put her grief and joy on canvas," 30 May 2018
On the third day, investigators used their hands and small trowels to dig.

— shelley murphy, BostonGlobe.com, "FBI agent describes grisly task of unearthing mob slaying victim in R.I.," 14 May 2018
Use your trowel to make a straight, shallow furrow, and keep rows about six inches apart.

— arricca sansone, Country Living, "How to Grow Carrots," 25 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'trowel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of trowel

Origin and Etymology of trowel

Middle English truel, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin truella, from Latin trulla ladle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Hardware Terms

adze, auger, awl, chock, ferrule, punch, tang

trowel

verb

Definition of trowel

troweled or trowelled; troweling or trowelling

transitive verb

: to smooth, mix, or apply with or as if with a trowel

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troweler

noun

Recent Examples of trowel from the Web

Jay Longino’s screenplay lards all the hoop action and comedy with troweled-on sentimentality and even a little romance — a little in this case still being too much.

— mark feeney, BostonGlobe.com, "In ‘Uncle Drew,’ Kyrie dribbles, Kyrie shoots, Kyrie acts," 27 June 2018
The treatment also distinguishes the living room from the dining area and contrasts with the troweled-concrete floor.

— marni elyse katz, BostonGlobe.com, "Sisters build a relaxed summer retreat in coastal Maine," 15 June 2018
Rooms feature both Oaxacan tiles and troweled concrete.

— jennifer fernandez, WSJ, "’50s Motels Go From Bleak to Chic," 8 June 2018
Drywall will be thinner and more uniform than plaster, which is usually troweled right up to the electrical box.

— timothy dahl, Popular Mechanics, "How to Remove Wallpaper," 7 Feb. 2018
In addition to Chip and Jo painting the antiquarian island, the couple also finished the Romanesque cabinet by troweling a hard slab of concrete on top.

— michelle darrisaw, Southern Living, "Joanna Gaines Reveals the Favorite Part of Her Kitchen," 13 Oct. 2017
Downstairs is a guest bedroom with a nice sized walk-in closet, crown molding and troweled textured walls.

— star-telegram, "Ebby Halliday Realtors | Arlington," 21 May 2017

First Known Use of trowel

circa 1670

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

TROWEL Defined for English Language Learners

trowel

noun

Definition of trowel for English Language Learners

: a small tool with a curved blade that is used by gardeners for digging holes
: a small tool with a flat blade that is used for spreading and smoothing mortar or plaster