trowel

American  

[trou-uhl] / ˈtraʊ əl /

noun

1. any of various tools having a flat blade with a handle, used for depositing and working mortar, plaster, etc.

2. a similar tool with a curved, scooplike blade, used in gardening for taking up plants, turning up earth, etc.

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verb (used with object)

troweled, troweling, trowelled, trowelling

1. to apply, shape, smooth, or dig with or as if with a trowel.

trowel British  

/ ˈtraʊəl /

noun

1. any of various small hand tools having a flat metal blade attached to a handle, used for scooping or spreading plaster or similar materials

2. a similar tool with a curved blade used by gardeners for lifting plants, etc

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verb

1. (tr) to use a trowel on (plaster, soil, etc)

trowel Idioms  

1. see under lay it on thick.

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Other Word Forms

• troweler noun
• troweller noun

Etymology

Origin of trowel

1300–50; Middle English < Old French truelle < Late Latin truella, equivalent to Latin tru ( a ) ladle + -ella -elle

Example Sentences

When I saw her, brandishing a hard hat and trowel at a housebuilding site, there seemed no question of her going anywhere.

From BBC

A man who was cautioned for carrying a bladed trowel in public has said he was given no choice but to accept the reprimand because police were unable to contact a solicitor for him.

From BBC

You’ll want to bring a trowel, and have a plan for toilet paper.

From Los Angeles Times

Starting from a radius of 3 feet, they gently dig toward the marker from all directions, using shovels and then switching to pointed trowels to scoop debris into dust pans for closer inspection.

From Los Angeles Times

The intros had been written, the praise laid on thick, with a trowel.

From BBC

Related Words

• burrow
• inquire