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canvass

can·vass/ˈkænvəs/verb, noun

canvass is spelled C-A-N-V-A-S-S: 7 letters and 2 syllables (can·vass). It appears about once in every 2 million words in written English, the 36,565th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). People search “canvas vs canvass” about 590 times a month (Google, United States). As a verb, canvass means “To thoroughly examine or investigate (something) physically or by discussion; to debate, to gather opinion, to scrutinize” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).

How many letters and syllables are in canvass?

Letters7: C-A-N-V-A-S-S
Syllables2: can·vass
In writingabout once in every 2 million words; the 36,565th most frequent word form
Wrong spellings searchednone measured in search
Pairs people search
Sounds like

Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media); Bing searches in the United States: the average month from September 2025 to August 2026 (Microsoft Advertising keyword data through DataForSEO, read September 30, 2026).

How common is canvass?

Canvass appears about once in every 2 million words in written English, the 36,565th most frequent word form in the list.

Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).

How do you pronounce canvass?

  • UK /ˈkænvəs/
  • US /ˈkænvəs/
  • US [ˈkɛənvəs]

Canvass has 2 syllables, split can·vass in writing.

Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-canvass.wav, En-us-canvas.ogg, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).

Words people confuse with canvass

Word pairs people search, with the monthly searches for “a vs b” (G: Google, B: Bing, United States).

canvas vs canvass590 G

Sounds like: canvas (Wiktionary's homophone list; some hold only in some accents).

Also written: canvas.

Sources: Google and Bing searches (September 2025 to August 2026, through DataForSEO); English Wiktionary (homophones, alternative spellings).

Forms of canvass

  • canvasses present, singular, he/she/it, plural
  • canvassing participle, present
  • canvassed participle, past
  • canvas

Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).

What does canvass mean?

The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).

verb

  1. 1

    To thoroughly examine or investigate (something) physically or by discussion; to debate, to gather opinion, to scrutinize.

  2. 2

    To scrutinize (the ballot in an election or the votes cast) and reject irregular votes; also, to challenge or dispute (an election result).

  3. 3

    To seek or solicit donations, information, opinions, support, etc. from (people or a place)

    The police are canvassing the neighbourhood for information about the missing child.

  4. 4

    To seek the support of (voters or a constituency) in a forthcoming election or poll through personal solicitation or public addresses.

    The electoral candidate canvassed the district for votes.

  5. 5

    obsoleteTo toss (someone) in a (canvas) sheet for fun or as a punishment; to blanket.

  6. 6

    obsoleteTo batter, beat, or thrash (someone or something).

  7. 7

    obsoleteTo assail or attack (someone or something).

  8. 8

    obsoleteTo severely criticize (a person, a written work, etc.).

noun

  1. 1

    A seeking or solicitation of donations, information, opinions, support, etc.

  2. 2

    A seeking or solicitation, or determination, of support or favourable votes in a forthcoming election or poll.

  3. 3

    USA scrutiny of the votes cast in an election to reject irregular votes; also, a tally, audit, and certification of votes.

  4. 4

    obsoleteA thorough discussion or investigation. (Possibly; the meaning is unclear.)

  5. 5

    obsoleteRejection (at an election, of a suit, etc.).

Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).

Canvass in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese

LanguageWords
Spanishcampañear, hacer campaña (to seek or solicit donations, information…), solicitar, encuestar (to seek the support of (voters or a…), solicitud, encuesta (seeking or solicitation of donations…)
Frenchsoliciter (to seek the support of (voters or a…)
GermanMeinungsumfrage (seeking or solicitation of donations…)

Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.

Where does canvass come from?

The verb is derived from canvas (“type of coarse cloth woven from hemp”). The connection between “to toss (someone) in a (canvas) sheet; (by extension) to batter, beat, or thrash (someone or something); etc.” and “to seek the support of voters or a constituency in a forthcoming election or poll” is not entirely clear. The noun is derived from the verb.

Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).

What to look up after canvass