ENGLISH
REFERENCE

canvas

n. · v.
US //ˈkænvəs// UK //kˈænvəs// can·vas
  1. 1 strong fabric (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a strong, heavy cloth used to make items that need to last, like tents, sails, or sturdy bags.

    a durable, coarse, plain-woven fabric made of hemp, flax, or cotton, used for industrial and outdoor applications.

    Example

    The hikers slept in a heavy canvas tent that kept out the wind.

    Example

    The vintage military rucksack was constructed from a thick, waxed canvas designed to withstand years of exposure to the elements.
  2. 2 painting surface (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a piece of strong cloth stretched over a wooden frame, used by artists for painting.

    a piece of heavy fabric stretched across a wooden frame (stretcher) to serve as a support for oil or acrylic painting.

    Example

    The artist bought a large canvas to start her new landscape painting.

    Example

    Before applying the first layer of oil paint, the student carefully primed the canvas with gesso to ensure a smooth surface.
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  1. 3 sails (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary Nautical

    the sails of a boat or ship.

    a collective term for the sails of a vessel. Often used in the phrase 'under canvas'.

    Example

    The ship looked beautiful with all its canvas spread out in the wind.

    Example

    The schooner moved gracefully across the bay under full canvas, its white sails gleaming against the dark water.
  2. 4 creative background (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a background or situation that allows someone to be creative.

    a metaphorical space or background providing the opportunity for creative expression or detailed description.

    Example

    The city provided a colorful canvas for the young writer's first novel.

    Example

    The director used the historical setting as a broad canvas on which to explore themes of betrayal and redemption.
  3. 5 to cover (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    to cover an area or an object with canvas cloth.

    to cover, line, or protect a surface or object with canvas fabric.

    Example

    The workers had to canvas the roof to protect it from the rain.

    Example

    The deck was carefully canvassed and painted to ensure it remained watertight during the long winter months.
Etymology 1

From Middle English canevas, from Anglo-Norman, from Old Northern French canevas (compare Old French chanevas, chenevas) from a root derived from Latin cannabis, from Ancient Greek κάνναβις (kánnabis). Compare French canevas, resulting from a blend of the Old French and a Picard dialect word, itself from Old Northern French. Doublet of cannabis and hemp.

Etymology 2

A variant of canvass.

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