trowel

1 of 2

noun

trow·​el ˈtrau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce trowel (audio)
: 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

Illustration of trowel

Illustration of trowel
  • 1 gardener's
  • 2 plasterer's
  • 3 bricklayer's

trowel

2 of 2

verb

troweled or trowelled; troweling or trowelling

transitive verb

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

Examples of trowel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Prevent Rust Melt beeswax and apply it to metal garden tools like trowels and shovels to prevent rusting. Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Oct. 2024 This garden trowel is a shopper favorite due to its durability. Jen Cason, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2024
Verb
Andrew’s bumbling nature is done no favors by the padded suits and troweled makeup that never really transform Sheen, but abet the actor’s semi-comic approach. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Sep. 2024 Drywall will be thinner and more uniform than plaster, which is usually troweled right up to the electrical box. Timothy Dahl, Popular Mechanics, 21 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for trowel 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1670, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trowel was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near trowel

Cite this Entry

“Trowel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trowel. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

trowel

1 of 2 noun
trow·​el ˈtrau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce trowel (audio)
1
: a small hand tool consisting of a flat blade with a handle used for spreading and smoothing mortar or plaster
2
: a small hand tool with a curved blade used by gardeners

trowel

2 of 2 verb
troweled or trowelled; troweling or trowelling
: to smooth, mix, or apply with a trowel

More from Merriam-Webster on trowel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!