What does "tarpaulin" mean?
A tarp, a heavy, waterproof sheet of material, often cloth, used as a cover or blanket.
Tarpaulin
/ˈtɑːɹpəlɪn/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A tarp, a heavy, waterproof sheet of material, often cloth, used as a cover or blanket.
- Grammar: tarpaulin is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: tarp, canopy, canvas sheet, corduroy.
- Useful contrasts: exposed surface, landlubber, uncovered area.
- Usage evidence: Sheltered by a tarpaulin from the blazing sun, a group of Kenyan women weave handfuls of dried reeds, their practiced hands turning them into exquisite baskets, mats and hats that have been sold to tourists from around the world.
How to use "tarpaulin"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "tarpaulin" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "tarpaulin" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "tarpaulin" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "tarpaulin" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "tarpaulin" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "tarp" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "tarpaulin", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A tarp, a heavy, waterproof sheet of material, often cloth, used as a cover or blanket. countable
"Throw a tarpaulin over that woodpile before it gets wet."
- 2 waterproofed canvas wordnet
- 3 A sailor. archaic, countable, slang
"There were sailors asleep in the fantastic fashion of the British tarpaulin — snoring heavily as they lay on the bare deck, despite the din about them."
- 4 Any heavy, waterproof material used as a cover. obsolete, uncountable
- 5 Canvas waterproofed with tar, used as a cover. obsolete, uncountable
Show 1 more definition
- 6 A hat made of, or covered with, painted or tarred cloth, worn by sailors and others. countable, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To cover with a tarpaulin.
""Cover it up! Don't touch it!" said the Professor. So we tarpaulined it according to his instructions, and there it lies."
Antonyms
Example
"Sheltered by a tarpaulin from the blazing sun, a group of Kenyan women weave handfuls of dried reeds, their practiced hands turning them into exquisite baskets, mats and hats that have been sold to tourists from around the world."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "tarpaulin"?
Common synonyms include: tarp, canopy, canvas sheet, corduroy, cotton, cover.
How do you use "tarpaulin" in a sentence?
Sheltered by a tarpaulin from the blazing sun, a group of Kenyan women weave handfuls of dried reeds, their practiced hands turning them into exquisite baskets, mats and hats that have been sold to tourists from around the world.
How do you pronounce "tarpaulin"?
Pronounced /ˈtɑːɹpəlɪn/.
Etymology
From tar + pall (“heavy canvas”) + -ing.