Definition

1. Noun:

   • A small hand tool with a handle and a flat, pointed, or curved metal blade: A trowel is primarily used for applying, spreading, smoothing, or scooping materials like plaster, mortar, cement, or soil.

2. Verb:

   • To apply, spread, or dig using a trowel: This action involves using the tool for tasks in gardening, masonry, or plastering.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The mason used a trowel to spread the mortar evenly between the bricks.
  • She bought a new garden trowel for planting seedlings.

• Verb:

  • He carefully troweled the concrete to create a smooth surface.
  • You need to trowel the soil gently around the roots of the plant.

Advanced Usage

• "To lay/pile it on with a trowel" (idiom): To exaggerate praise, flattery, or emotion in an excessive or obvious manner.
  • His introduction laid the compliments on with a trowel; it was embarrassingly over-the-top.

Variants and Related Words

• Troweling (n/gerund): The action or process of using a trowel.
  • Proper troweling is essential for a good finish on the plaster.
• Troweled (adj): Describing a surface finished with a trowel.
  • The troweled concrete had a very fine texture.

Synonyms

• Noun: Spatula, float (for specific types of masonry trowels), hand spade (for gardening).
• Verb: Spread, smooth, apply.

Related Phrases

• Pointing trowel (n): A small trowel with a pointed blade, used for detailed masonry work.
• Garden trowel (n): A trowel with a curved or pointed blade, designed for digging small holes and planting.
• Finishing trowel (n): A trowel with a flat, rectangular blade used for creating a smooth final surface on plaster or concrete.

Related Idioms

• "To lay it on with a trowel": As defined in Advanced Usage, this idiom is the primary figurative use of the word.

Noun

1. a small hand tool with a handle and flat metal blade; used for scooping or spreading plaster or similar materials

Verb

1. use a trowel on; for light garden work or plaster work