Table of Contents
Introduction
The words “canvas and canvass” may cause some confusion. They have almost the same form and are pronounced similarly, although they have completely different meanings. “Canvas” is a type of cloth, whereas “canvass” means to seek votes.
This post explores the meaning of both words and offer illustrations with examples!
Confused Words: Canvas and Canvass
Which word is correct? “Canvas” or “canvass”? Well, both words are English words, and they are pronounced similarly – “kan-vuhs” – but they have different meanings.
Canvas
The word “canvas” is a noun. It refers to a type of coarse cloth useful for making sails and tents or as a surface for paintings.
Etymology: Canvas originated from mid-14th century Anglo-French “canevaz,” which came from Old French “chanevaz,” meaning “made of hemp.” This term stems from the Latin “cannabis,” borrowed from Greek “kannabis,” which referred to hemp.
Examples:
- I bought a canvas handbag.
- His paintings are oil on canvas.
- She prefers to paint on canvas rather than paper.
- The artist stretched the canvas tightly over the wooden frame.
- We use canvas covers to protect our outdoor furniture from the
The term “canvas” may also refer to the following:
- A painting, as in:
- “They sold all his late canvases.”
- A basis for creative work, as in:
- “The writer takes the poor areas of the city as a canvas for his sociological studies.”
- A region on which graphics can be rendered on a computer.
- “The digital artist used a blank canvas on their computer to create a new design.”
- Sails of a ship.
- The sailors carefully unfurled the canvas to catch the wind and propel the ship forward.
- A tent.
- We spent the night under canvas.
Canvass
The word “canvass” can be a noun and a verb:
- A. As a noun, it refers to a solicitation of voters or public opinion.
- B. As a verb, it means:
- To solicit voters, opinions, etc.
- To conduct a survey.
- To campaign.
Etymology: Around 1500, “canvass” originally meant “to toss in a canvas sheet,” a variant spelling of “canvas” (n.). From this, the meaning was extended figuratively to “shake out, examine carefully” by the 1520s. The term then shifted to mean “to solicit votes or test support before an election” by the 1550s.
Examples:
- He canvassed the city for votes.
- The politician decided to canvass the neighborhood for support.
- They are going to canvass public opinion on the proposed changes.
- Our team will canvass the area to gather feedback on the new product.
Conclusion
In conclusion, although “canvas and canvass” are pronounced similarly, they have different meanings and usages. “Canvas” refers to a type of cloth or a surface for paintings, while “canvass” means to seek votes or opinions. Understanding these differences helps in using the correct word in various contexts.
Canvas Vs Canvass Quiz
Here’s a quiz for “canvas and canvass”:
Choose the right option:
- What is the meaning of “canvas”? a) A type of coarse cloth b) To solicit votes c) A type of paint
- Which word refers to seeking votes or opinions? a) Canvas b) Canvass c) Canoe
- Complete the sentence: “The artist painted on a…” a) Canvas b) Canvass c) Canvas and canvass
- Which word refers to the material sails of a ship? a) Canvass b) Canvas c) Canvaser
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