canvass
[ kan-vuhs ]
/ ˈkæn vəs /
Save This Word!
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to solicit votes, opinions, or the like.
noun
a soliciting of votes, orders, or the like.
a campaign for election to government office.
close inspection; scrutiny: the official canvass of election results.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of canvass
First recorded in 1500–10; originally a spelling variant of canvas, as a verb; the sense “discuss” apparently a development of the earlier senses “toss in a canvas sheet,” and “harshly criticize”; the sense “solicit votes” is obscurely derived
OTHER WORDS FROM canvass
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH canvass
canvas, canvassDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use canvass in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for canvass
canvass
/ (ˈkænvəs) /
verb
to solicit votes, orders, advertising, etc, from
to determine the feelings and opinions of (voters before an election, etc), esp by conducting a survey
to investigate (something) thoroughly, esp by discussion or debate
mainly US to inspect (votes) officially to determine their validity
noun
a solicitation of opinions, votes, sales orders, etc
close inspection; scrutiny
Derived forms of canvass
canvasser, nouncanvassing, nounWord Origin for canvass
C16: probably from obsolete sense of canvas (to toss someone in a canvas sheet, hence, to harass, criticize); the development of current senses is unexplained
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012