trowel

noun trow·el \ ˈtrau̇(-ə)l \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 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

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
Holthuysen wanted to apply the white concrete with a trowel.

— steve rubenstein, San Francisco Chronicle, "Oakland Zoo’s puma cubs get comfortable in their soon-to-open exhibit," 6 May 2018
Vintage gardening books and trowels fill a weathered bookshelf; burlap yardage topped with potted herbs and jars of tiny black seeds disguises a corporate table.

— laura regensdorf, Vogue, "This New Natural Beauty Startup is Raising the Bar on Sustainable Packaging," 30 Apr. 2018
Wait until about half the leaves have turned yellow or brown, then push a hand trowel into the soil next to the plant. Loosen the soil and lift up the whole plant.

— arricca sansone, Country Living, "How to Grow Garlic," 17 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

—

troweler

noun

Recent Examples of trowel from the Web

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