noun

trowel

TROW-uhl

Trowel (noun) means a small handheld tool with a flat or scoop-shaped blade, used for spreading mortar or digging in a garden. Example: “She used a trowel to plant the seedlings along the fence.”

noun

A small handheld tool with a flat or scoop-shaped blade, used for spreading mortar or digging in a garden.

"She used a trowel to plant the seedlings along the fence."

"The bricklayer smoothed the mortar with his trowel."

verb

To apply something thickly and without subtlety, often used figuratively.

"He trowelled the compliments on a bit too thick."

How to use trowel

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small tool for spreading material like mortar or soil, or (figuratively) to lay something on heavily.

Common pairings

garden trowel trowel on the flattery

Word forms

troweled past tense, trowelled past tense, trowels plural, trowels singular

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She used a _____ to plant the seedlings along the fence.

Etymology

From Middle French truelle, ultimately from Latin trulla, a diminutive of trua, "ladle."

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for trowel

vowel bowel towel

See all rhymes for trowel →

Frequently asked questions

What does “trowel” mean?

The word “trowel” means a small handheld tool with a flat or scoop-shaped blade, used for spreading mortar or digging in a garden. In plain terms, a small tool for spreading material like mortar or soil, or (figuratively) to lay something on heavily.

How do you pronounce “trowel”?

“Trowel” is pronounced TROW-uhl (/ˈtɹaʊ.əl/ in IPA).

How do you use “trowel” in a sentence?

Here is “trowel” used in a sentence: “She used a trowel to plant the seedlings along the fence.”

What part of speech is “trowel”?

Depending on how it is used, “trowel” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “trowel” come from?

The word “trowel” comes from Latin. From Middle French truelle, ultimately from Latin trulla, a diminutive of trua, "ladle.".

How many meanings does “trowel” have?

“Trowel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small handheld tool with a flat or scoop-shaped blade, used for spreading mortar or digging in a garden.