trowel

1 of 2

noun

trow·el ˈtrau̇(-ə)l

: any of various hand tools used to apply, spread, shape, or smooth loose or plastic material

also : a scoop-shaped or flat-bladed garden tool for taking up and setting small plants

trowel

2 of 2

verb

troweled or trowelled; troweling or trowelling

transitive verb

: to smooth, mix, or apply with or as if with a trowel

troweler noun

Examples of trowel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

Using your trowel, lightly mix the soil. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 May 2026 So locate your trowel and ready your watering can. — Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 9 May 2026

Verb

It was troweled smooth as silk. — Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026 Then workers troweled on a final layer of the same stuff, leaving it deliberately rough to the touch. — Curbed, 25 Apr. 2023 See All Example Sentences for trowel

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English truel, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin truella, from Latin trulla ladle

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1670, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of trowel was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

Trowbridge

trowel

trowelman

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Trowel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trowel. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

trowel

1 of 2 noun

trow·el ˈtrau̇(-ə)l

: a small hand tool consisting of a flat blade with a handle used for spreading and smoothing mortar or plaster

: a small hand tool with a curved blade used by gardeners

trowel

2 of 2 verb

troweled or trowelled; troweling or trowelling

: to smooth, mix, or apply with a trowel

trowel

noun

Illustration of trowel

verb

Examples of trowel in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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