daub
/dɔːb/
NOUN
1. Excrement or clay used as a bonding material in construction
A mixture of clay, mud, or similar material, sometimes mixed with straw or other substances, used to bind or seal building materials.
1.1. Clay or mud used in building
A sticky mixture of clay, mud, or similar material used to fill gaps, seal cracks, or bind materials in traditional construction.
Synonyms
- clay
- mud
- plaster
Examples
- The builders used daub to seal the gaps between the wooden framework.
Related Words
- straw
- mortar
- wattle
- building material
NOUN
2. A soft coating of mud, plaster, or similar material
A layer or smear of a soft substance spread over a surface.
2.1. Layer of soft material
A coating or smear of mud, plaster, paint, or another soft substance applied to a surface.
Synonyms
- coating
- smear
- layer
- covering
Examples
- A thick daub of plaster covered the damaged section of the wall.
Related Words
- plaster
- mud
- paint
- surface
NOUN
3. A crude or amateurish painting
A roughly executed painting or drawing that lacks artistic skill or refinement.
3.1. Rough or unskilled artwork
A crude, hastily made, or poorly executed painting or drawing.
Synonyms
- doodle
- sketch
- scrawl
- smear
Examples
- The wall was covered with a colorful daub that looked more like a child's experiment than a finished painting.
Related Words
- drawing
- painting
- illustration
- artwork
VERB
4. To apply something in hasty or crude strokes
To spread or smear a substance onto a surface carelessly or with rough, hurried movements.
4.1. Applying or spreading a substance
To put paint, mud, plaster, or another substance onto a surface in rough, hurried, or uneven strokes.
Synonyms
- smear
- smudge
- spread
- slap on
- coat
- bedaub
Antonyms
Examples
- The children began to daub paint onto the paper with their fingers.
- He used a brush to daub mud over the cracks in the wall.
Related Words
- brush
- apply
- spread
- plaster
4.2. Making a rough or crude painting
To paint or depict something in a coarse, careless, or unskilled manner.
Synonyms
- smear
- sketch
- doodle
Examples
- The amateur artist daubed a rough landscape onto the canvas.
Related Words
- paint
- draw
- depict
- illustrate
VERB
5. To cover with a specious or deceitful exterior; to disguise or conceal
To conceal the true nature of something by covering it with a misleading appearance or superficial explanation.
VERB
6. To flatter excessively or grossly
To praise someone excessively or insincerely, often for personal advantage.
VERB
7. To put on without taste; to deck gaudily
To decorate or adorn something in a showy, excessive, or tasteless manner.