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

Illustration of trowel

• 1 gardener's
• 2 plasterer's
• 3 bricklayer's

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

Noun

Start with a narrow trowel, not a shovel Your instinct might be to grab the biggest digging tool on the rack. —Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026

For weeds with a deep taproot like dandelions, target young plants and use a hand weeder or trowel to remove the entire root system. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026

Verb

Andrew’s bumbling nature is done no favors by the padded suits and troweled makeup that never really transform Sheen, but abet the actor’s semi-comic approach. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Sep. 2024

The excess water goes to the surface as the concrete is troweled, creating tiny tunnels that remain as the mix hardens. —Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2023

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

Kids Definition

trowel

1 of 2 noun

trow·​el ˈtrau̇(-ə)l 

1

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

2

: 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