Definition

Noun: A powdery mixture, typically containing gypsum plaster and an adhesive, that forms a malleable paste when mixed with water. This paste is used to fill, seal, and smooth cracks, holes, and other minor imperfections in plaster, drywall, and similar surfaces before painting or finishing.

Usage

Spackling compound is a material used in construction and repair. * Apply the spackling compound into the nail hole with a putty knife. * Before painting the wall, you must let the spackling compound dry completely. * A small container of spackling compound is essential for any home repair toolkit.

Advanced Usage

• "To spackle" (verb, derived usage): The act of applying spackling compound.
  • He needs to spackle the damaged corner before he can sand it smooth.
• The material is sometimes generically referred to as "spackle", though this technically refers to the brand name of a popular product.
  • I bought some spackle to fix the dings in the drywall.

Variants and Related Words

• Spackle (n): A common brand name for spackling compound, often used informally to refer to any such product.
• Filler (n): A more general term for any substance used to fill holes or cracks. Spackling compound is a specific type of filler designed for interior walls.
• Joint compound (n): A similar material used primarily for taping and finishing the joints between sheets of drywall. While related, joint compound and spackling compound have slightly different formulations and uses.

Synonyms

• Patching compound
• Wall filler
• Plaster filler

Related Phrases

• Spackling knife / putty knife: The flat, flexible blade tool used to apply and smooth the compound.
• Lightweight spackling: A fast-drying, low-shrinkage variant of the compound.

Noun

1. powder (containing gypsum plaster and glue) that when mixed with water forms a plastic paste used to fill cracks and holes in plaster