noun

canvas

/ˈkænvəs/ · say it: KAN·vəs

the fabric surface on which a painting is made

In Arts & Culture

In more detail

1. (noun) a strong, thick cloth made from cotton or linen, used for making bags, sails, tents, and paintings

2. (noun) a piece of canvas or similar material on which an artist paints a picture

3. (noun) a painting made on canvas

Examples

The artist stretched the canvas before starting to paint.
The sail was made of heavy canvas.
The museum displayed several famous canvases from the Renaissance.

How to use canvas

Canvas refers to a sturdy woven fabric or a prepared surface for painting. It is used in both practical contexts (sails, bags, tents) and artistic contexts (the support for paintings). In art, it is often used metaphorically to mean a blank slate or foundation for creation.

Common phrases

blank canvas
paint on canvas
canvas bag
canvas shoes
stretched canvas

Synonyms

cloth · fabric · material · tarpaulin · painting

Word family

canvass (different word: to survey or solicit)

A common mistake

Learners often confuse canvas (the cloth/painting surface) with canvass (to survey opinions or solicit support), which are different words with distinct pronunciations and meanings.

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