canvas
/ˈkæn.vəs/ IELTSAcademic
noun
- 1.
A strong, heavy cloth used for sails, tents, bags, shoes, and painting surfaces. It is also the surface artists paint on.
- The tent was made of thick canvas.
- She painted a landscape on canvas.
- 2.
In digital devices and software, a canvas is an empty area where you can create or edit something, such as a drawing or design.
- Open a blank canvas in the app.
- Drag the image onto the canvas.
Adinary Nuance
Canvas is not the same as cloth in general. Canvas means a strong, thick cloth, often used for bags, shoes, tents, or art. In art, it can also mean the surface itself, while cloth is a more general word for fabric.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- vải bạt
- Spanish
- lona
- Chinese
- 帆布
- Japanese
- キャンバス
- Korean
- 캔버스
Etymology
Canvas came into English from Old French in the 13th century, from Latin cannabis, meaning “hemp.” Early canvas was often made from hemp fibre.
Common phrases
canvas bagcanvas shoescanvas tentpaint on canvas
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is canvas the same as cloth?
- No. Canvas is a strong type of cloth, usually thicker and tougher.
- Can I say canvas for painting?
- Yes. It can mean the surface an artist paints on.
- Is canvas a common word in business writing?
- Yes, when talking about materials, design tools, or art surfaces.