noun

canvas

KAN-vuhs

noun

A heavy, coarse woven fabric traditionally made from hemp or cotton, used for sails, tents, and painting surfaces.

"The artist stretched a fresh canvas before starting the portrait."

"The old tent was made of thick canvas."

A painting itself, or figuratively, a basis or backdrop for creative work.

"The city became a canvas for the muralist's imagination."

verb

To cover something with canvas.

"They canvased the boat deck to protect it from rain."

How to Use Canvas

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSturdy woven cloth, especially the kind used for tents, sails, or paintings.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "canvass" (to seek support or opinions) — canvas is the cloth, canvass is the action.

Easily confused with

canvass →

Common pairings

stretch a canvas canvas tent canvas bag

canvased past tense, canvases plural, canvasses plural, canvases singular

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The artist stretched a fresh _____ before starting the portrait.

From Old Northern French canevas, ultimately from Latin cannabis, "hemp." A doublet of "cannabis."