Canvas vs Canvass

Quick Tip: Remember: Canvas is a material (the painting canvas). Canvass means to solicit or survey (canvass for votes).

Canvas

noun

a strong, coarse unbleached cloth used for making sails, tents, and as a surface for oil painting

Examples:
  • The artist painted on a large canvas.
  • The tent was made of heavy canvas.
  • She stretched the canvas over the frame.

Canvass

verb

to solicit votes, opinions, or orders from people

Examples:
  • The candidate will canvass the neighborhood for votes.
  • We need to canvass public opinion on this issue.
  • Salespeople canvass door to door.
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