Pronunciation: [tɹˈa͡ʊə͡l] (IPA) 
The word "trowel" is spelled with six letters, with the IPA phonetic transcription of /ˈtraʊəl/. It is a tool used for spreading and smoothing mortar or concrete. The spelling of the word includes the unique combination of the letters "ow", which is pronounced as /aʊ/, as well as the silent letter "e" at the end. This pronunciation rule is common in English, where "ow" is often pronounced as /aʊ/ at the end of a word.
A trowel is a small, handheld tool typically used for spreading and smoothing materials like concrete, mortar, or plaster. It is characterized by a flat, rectangular or trapezoidal-shaped blade attached to a handle, usually made of wood or plastic. The blade is constructed from durable materials such as steel or stainless steel, ensuring its longevity and resistance to wear.
Trowels possess a variety of shapes and sizes, each serving a particular purpose. The most common type is the pointed trowel, which has a triangular-shaped blade that aids in precise corner work and intricate detailing. Similarly, square-ended trowels have a rectangular blade end that is efficient at spreading and smoothing cementitious materials over larger areas.
These tools are extensively used in construction and masonry work, enabling the skilled hand of the user to control and manipulate the consistency, levelness, and texture of applied materials. They also facilitate the removal of excess material and the creation of clean edges and finishes. Trowels are essential when applying finishes to walls, floors, or other surfaces, ensuring an even distribution of the material and promoting a polished outcome.
Beyond the realm of construction, trowels find utility in various other domains. In gardening, a trowel is employed for tasks like planting, transplanting, and weeding. Additionally, archaeologists rely on trowels to carefully excavate and unearth artifacts from archaeological sites, allowing for meticulous and delicate work.
Overall, the trowel serves as a versatile hand tool, indispensable in construction, masonry, gardening, and archaeological endeavors for its ability to effectively manipulate and distribute various materials.
A flat, somewhat broad tool used to take up and spread mortar; a similar tool, used by gardeners.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "trowel" is of Old English origin. It can be traced back to the Old English word "trēowol", which derives from the Proto-Germanic word "*trewwalōną". This Proto-Germanic term is a combination of "*trewwiz" (meaning "tree") and "*walōną" (meaning "shaft" or "pole"). The word originally referred to a tool used for smoothing or spreading substances like mortar or plaster, which was made of wood. Over time, it evolved to describe the flat, pointed tool with a handle that we commonly associate with the term "trowel" today.
