plaster
PLAH-stuh
Plaster (noun) means a mixture of lime or gypsum, sand, and water that hardens into a smooth surface, used to coat walls and ceilings. Example: “The builders applied a fresh coat of plaster to the living room walls.”
noun
1
A mixture of lime or gypsum, sand, and water that hardens into a smooth surface, used to coat walls and ceilings.
"The builders applied a fresh coat of plaster to the living room walls."
2
An adhesive strip used to cover a small cut or wound.
"She put a plaster on the scrape on her knee."
verb
1
To cover a wall or surface with plaster.
"They plastered the ceiling before painting it."
2
To cover something thickly or completely, often figuratively.
"Posters were plastered across every wall of the venue."
How to use plaster
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA wall coating material, or (in British English) a small sticky bandage.
UK vs US
In British English, "plaster" is the everyday word for a small adhesive bandage; American English typically says "Band-Aid" or "bandage" instead.
Common pairings
plaster wall
sticking plaster
plaster cast
plaster the wall
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Word forms
- Plural
- plasters
- Third person singular
- plasters
- Past tense
- plastered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The builders applied a fresh coat of _____ to the living room walls.
Etymology
From Latin emplastrum, "a medicinal plaster or bandage," shortened over time on its way through Old English and Old French.
Synonyms
View more →
poultice
daub
stick on
cataplasm
beplaster
plasterwork
plaster over
adhesive plaster
sticking plaster
Related words
Rhymes for plaster
See all rhymes for plaster →Frequently asked questions
What does “plaster” mean?
The word “plaster” means a mixture of lime or gypsum, sand, and water that hardens into a smooth surface, used to coat walls and ceilings. In plain terms, a wall coating material, or (in British English) a small sticky bandage.
How do you pronounce “plaster”?
“Plaster” is pronounced PLAH-stuh (/ˈplæs.tɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “plaster” in a sentence?
Here is “plaster” used in a sentence: “The builders applied a fresh coat of plaster to the living room walls.”
What part of speech is “plaster”?
Depending on how it is used, “plaster” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “plaster” come from?
The word “plaster” comes from Latin. From Latin emplastrum, "a medicinal plaster or bandage," shortened over time on its way through Old English and Old French.
Is “plaster” a common word?
“Plaster” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “plaster” have?
“Plaster” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a mixture of lime or gypsum, sand, and water that hardens into a smooth surface, used to coat walls and ceilings.
