Canvas Definition and Meaning
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Published on March 10, 2024
Canvas is a durable, heavy cloth used for making sails, tents, paintings, and other items. e.g., The artist stretched the canvas before starting her painting.
Table of Contents
Canvas Definitions
A strong, coarse cloth material used for making sails, tents, and other items.
They used waterproof canvas for the camping tents.
A piece of this cloth used by artists as a surface for painting.
He carefully selected a canvas for his next masterpiece.
To cover or line with canvas.
We canvas the boat every winter to protect it.
To solicit votes or opinions; to conduct a survey.
Volunteers were canvasing the neighborhood for the community project.
A tent or a temporary shelter made from canvas cloth.
They set up a large canvas to host the outdoor event.
A metaphorical term for a basis upon which ideas are developed.
The new policy provides a canvas for future reforms.
A painting done on this type of cloth.
The gallery displayed a beautiful canvas from the 18th century.
The background, setting, or scope for something.
The city streets provided a canvas for the mural project.
An expanse of canvas used as a sail.
The ship's canvas billowed in the strong wind.
To examine or inspect thoroughly.
Detectives canvas the area for clues.
A heavy, coarse, closely woven fabric of cotton, hemp, or flax, traditionally used for tents and sails.
A piece of such fabric on which a painting, especially an oil painting, is executed.
A painting executed on such fabric.
A fabric of coarse open weave, used as a foundation for needlework.
The background against which events unfold, as in a historical narrative
A grim portrait of despair against the bright canvas of the postwar economy.
(Nautical) A sail or set of sails.
A tent or group of tents.
A circus tent.
(Sports) The floor of a ring in which boxing or wrestling takes place.
A type of coarse cloth, woven from hemp, useful for making sails and tents or as a surface for paintings.
(painting)
A piece of canvas cloth stretched across a frame on which one may paint.
A painting, or a picture on canvas.
A mesh of loosely woven cotton strands or molded plastic to be decorated with needlepoint, cross-stitch, rug hooking, or other crafts.
(figuratively) A basis for creative work.
The author takes rural midwestern life as a canvas for a series of tightly woven character studies
(computer graphics) A region on which graphics can be rendered.
(nautical) Sails in general.
A tent.
He spent the night under canvas.
A rough draft or model of a song, air, or other literary or musical composition; especially one to show a poet the measure of the verses he is to make.
(Nigeria) Athletic shoes.
Obsolete spelling of canvass
(transitive) To cover (an area or object) with canvas.
Obsolete spelling of canvass
A strong cloth made of hemp, flax, or cotton; - used for tents, sails, etc.
By glimmering lanes and walls of canvas led.
A coarse cloth so woven as to form regular meshes for working with the needle, as in tapestry, or worsted work.
History . . . does not bring out clearly upon the canvas the details which were familiar.
Something for which canvas is used: (a) A sail, or a collection of sails. (b) A tent, or a collection of tents. (c) A painting, or a picture on canvas.
To suit his canvas to the roughness of the see.
Light, rich as that which glows on the canvas of Claude.
A rough draft or model of a song, air, or other literary or musical composition; esp. one to show a poet the measure of the verses he is to make.
Made of, pertaining to, or resembling, canvas or coarse cloth; as, a canvas tent.
Heavy closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
An oil painting on canvas
The setting for a narrative or fictional or dramatic account;
The crowded canvas of history
The movie demanded a dramatic canvas of sound
A tent made of canvas
A large piece of fabric (as canvas) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
The mat that forms the floor of the ring in which boxers or professional wrestlers compete;
The boxer picked himself up off the canvas
Solicit votes from potential voters in an electoral campaign
Get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions
Cover with canvas;
She canvassed the walls of her living room so as to conceal the ugly cracks
Consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning;
Analyze a sonnet by Shakespeare
Analyze the evidence in a criminal trial
Analyze your real motives
Canvas Snonyms
Textile
A type of cloth or woven fabric.
The museum had an exhibit on ancient textiles.
Tarpaulin
Heavy-duty waterproof cloth, originally of tarred canvas.
They covered the boat with a tarpaulin.
Sailcloth
Strong, heavy cloth used for making sails.
The bags were fashioned from old sailcloth.
Fabric
Material, typically produced by weaving or knitting textile fibers.
The tent was made of sturdy fabric.
Duck
A durable, plain woven cotton fabric.
The sails were made of heavy duck.
Art surface
The material or surface on which an artist works.
Canvas is a traditional art surface for painting.
Material
The matter from which a thing is or can be made.
Canvas is a popular material for outdoor gear.
Linen
Cloth woven from flax.
Linen was used as a canvas for early paintings.
Cloth
Woven or felted fabric made from wool, cotton, or a similar fiber.
Paintings were originally done on cloth.
Oilcloth
Fabric treated on one side with oil to make it waterproof.
The kitchen table was covered with a piece of oilcloth.
Canvas Idioms & Phrases
A blank canvas
Something in its original state, ready for ideas.
The new apartment was a blank canvas for her interior design project.
Tighten the canvas
To prepare or brace oneself for something difficult.
Knowing the challenge ahead, they tightened the canvas and proceeded.
Sail under false canvas
To deceive or mislead.
The con artist was sailing under false canvas, pretending to be a wealthy investor.
To canvas opinions
To seek views or opinions from a group of people.
The committee decided to canvas opinions before making the final decision.
Canvas the area
To thoroughly search or investigate an area.
After the incident, the police canvassed the area for evidence.
Canvas belt
A belt made from canvas material, often used in casual wear.
He wore a canvas belt with his khaki shorts.
On the canvas
In boxing, to be knocked down to the ground.
The champion had his opponent on the canvas in the third round.
Under canvas
Staying in tents, usually while camping.
They spent the summer living under canvas in the national park.
Canvas the vote
To scrutinize or recount voting results.
The close election results led to a decision to canvas the vote.
Canvas print
An image printed on canvas material, often used in home decor.
The living room featured a large canvas print of a seaside view.
Under the canvas sky
Referring to spending time outdoors, especially at night.
They loved nothing more than sleeping under the canvas sky, counting stars.
Ship of canvas
A poetic or old-fashioned way to refer to a sailing ship.
The old sea captain would tell tales of his time on a ship of canvas.
Stretch the canvas
To prepare a canvas for painting by stretching it on a frame.
The artist spent the morning stretching the canvas in her studio.
Put to canvas
To start painting.
Inspired by the sunset, she immediately put to canvas.
Roll up the canvas
To pack up and leave, especially when camping.
After a week in the wilderness, it was time to roll up the canvas.
Canvas city
A temporary settlement or area with tents.
The festival grounds turned into a canvas city overnight.
A sea of canvas
A large number of sailing ships or sails in one area.
The harbor was a sea of canvas during the regatta.
Canvas chair
A folding chair with a canvas seat and back.
He unfolded his canvas chair and settled in to watch the soccer match.
Canvas Example Sentences
They erected a canvas shelter to block the sun.
Her new artwork on the canvas was breathtaking.
He preferred working on a large canvas for his murals.
The artist painted vibrant colors across the canvas.
The storm tore through the tent's canvas cover.
She bought several rolls of canvas for her art class.
The canvas bag was strong enough to carry all her books.
He meticulously prepared the canvas before starting to paint.
The old ship had its canvas spread wide.
The market stalls were covered with striped canvas.
Volunteers canvas door-to-door for the charity drive.
They planned to canvas the entire district by foot.
The canvas of the night sky inspired his next painting.
The children's artwork transformed the blank canvas into a colorful display.
The canvas shoes were perfect for the summer outing.
Common Curiosities
How do we divide canvas into syllables?
We divide "canvas" into syllables as: can-vas.
How many syllables are in canvas?
There are two syllables in "canvas."
What is a stressed syllable in canvas?
The stressed syllable in "canvas" is the first one: can.
What is the verb form of canvas?
The verb form is "canvas," with "canvassing" being its present participle.
What is the first form of canvas?
The first form is "canvas" as both a noun and a verb.
What is the pronunciation of canvas?
Canvas is pronounced as /ˈkæn.vəs/.
What is the second form of canvas?
As a verb, the second form is "canvassed."
How is canvas used in a sentence?
Canvas is commonly used as a noun to describe a durable fabric or as a verb meaning to solicit or survey.
Why is it called canvas?
Canvas is called so due to its historical use in making sails, derived from the Latin word "cannabis," which means hemp, the original material used.
What is the third form of canvas?
As a verb, the third form is also "canvassed."
What part of speech is canvas?
"Canvas" can be a noun referring to the material or a verb referring to the action of soliciting or surveying.
What is another term for canvas?
Another term for "canvas" as a material might be "duck" (a type of canvas), and for the verb, it might be "survey" or "solicit."
What is the singular form of canvas?
The singular form is "canvas."
What is the root word of canvas?
The root word of "canvas" is the Latin "cannabis," meaning hemp.
Is the word canvas a Gerund?
When used as a noun derived from the verb, like in "canvassing," it can act as a gerund.
Is the word “canvas” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
In a sentence, "canvas" can be a direct object, e.g., "The artist painted the canvas."
Is canvas an adverb?
No, "canvas" is not an adverb.
Is canvas a countable noun?
Yes, "canvas" is a countable noun when referring to pieces or types of canvas.
Is the canvas term a metaphor?
"Canvas" can be used metaphorically to describe a space or opportunity for creativity, like "a blank canvas."
Is the word canvas imperative?
The verb form "canvas" can be used in an imperative mood, e.g., "Canvas the neighborhood for opinions."
Is canvas a noun or adjective?
Canvas is primarily a noun but can also be used as a verb.
Is canvas a collective noun?
No, "canvas" is not typically used as a collective noun.
Which preposition is used with canvas?
Prepositions like "on," "with," or "under" can be used with "canvas," depending on the context.
What is the plural form of canvas?
The plural form is "canvases."
Which determiner is used with canvas?
Determiners such as "a," "the," or "that" can be used with "canvas," depending on the context.
Which vowel is used before canvas?
The vowel "a" is used before "canvas."
Which conjunction is used with canvas?
Conjunctions like "and" or "but" can be used with "canvas," e.g., "Canvas and paint are essential for an artist."
Which article is used with canvas?
The articles "a" or "the" can be used with "canvas," depending on whether it's being used in a specific or general context.
What is the opposite of canvas?
The opposite could vary by context; for material, it might be "synthetic" or "plastic"; for the verb, it might be "ignore" or "overlook."
Is canvas an abstract noun?
No, "canvas" is a concrete noun when referring to the material.
Is canvas a negative or positive word?
"Canvas" is neutral; it can be positive or negative depending on the context.
Is canvas a vowel or consonant?
The word "canvas" starts with a consonant.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
