plaster

plaster — noun

IPA/ˈplɑːstə(r)/
KK[plˈæstɚ]IPA/ˈplæstər/
  • plastersingular
  • plastersplural

1. a wet mixture spread on walls or ceilings that dries into a hard, smooth layer

1.nounB2
Definition

a wet mixture spread on walls or ceilings that dries into a hard, smooth layer

Example

Workers spread wet plaster across the dining room ceiling this morning.

collocation: wet plaster

Cracked plaster fell from the hallway wall during last night's storm.

collocation: cracked plaster

Common collocations
  • wet plaster
  • cracked plaster
  • a layer of plaster
  • mix plaster
  • spread plaster
Synonyms
  • render

    often refers to a similar coating on outside walls rather than inside ones

  • stucco

    usually names a decorative outside wall finish

  • mortar

    mainly joins bricks or stones instead of making a smooth wall surface

Grammar Patterns

wet plaster

a layer of plaster

mix or spread plaster

Usage Note

Usually uncountable when you mean the building material itself. In repair talk, it often appears with verbs like mix, spread, crack, or dry.

Common Mistakes

The wall needs more plasters.
The wall needs more plaster.
this building sense is usually uncountable.

2. a small sticky strip placed over a cut to keep it clean and safe

2.nounA2
Definition

a small sticky strip placed over a cut to keep it clean and safe

Example

Eva put a plaster on her finger after slicing an apple.

phrase: put a plaster on

The first-aid box held plasters, tape, and a tiny pair of scissors.

usual plural: plasters

Common collocations
  • put a plaster on
  • waterproof plaster
  • a box of plasters
  • a pink plaster
Synonyms
  • bandage

    a broader word that can also mean a larger wrap

  • adhesive bandage

    a more exact medical term for the small sticky dressing

  • Band-Aid

    a brand name often used in everyday American English

Grammar Patterns

put a plaster on

a waterproof plaster

a box of plasters

Usage Note

Common in British English for a small adhesive bandage. American English usually says bandage or the brand name Band-Aid.

Common Mistakes

The doctor wrapped a plaster around his ankle.
The doctor wrapped a bandage around his ankle.
a plaster is a small sticky strip, not a long wrap.

3. a hard cast around an injured arm or leg to keep it still

3.nounB2
Definition

a hard cast around an injured arm or leg to keep it still

Example

After the bike crash, Noah's left arm stayed in plaster all summer.

pattern: be in plaster

Lily drew stars on her brother's plaster before he went home.

collocation: draw on the plaster

Common collocations
  • be in plaster
  • arm in plaster
  • sign the plaster
  • tight plaster
Synonyms
  • cast

    the usual general word, especially in American English

  • plaster cast

    a fuller medical name for the same thing

  • splint

    supports an injured part but is not always a full hard shell

Grammar Patterns

be in plaster

sign the plaster

arm or leg in plaster

Usage Note

Most often used in the phrase 'be in plaster'. American English more often says cast for the hard covering itself.

Common Mistakes

My leg was in a plaster for two months.
My leg was in plaster for two months.
this fixed phrase usually has no article.

plaster — verb

IPA/ˈplɑː.stər/
KK[plˈæstɚ]IPA/ˈplæs.tɚ/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/3

For verb/3, plaster suggests covering a place very fully, often so the result looks crowded, messy, or hard to miss. Cover is the broad neutral word and does not imply excess. Coat often refers to one layer of liquid, dust, or paint and can sound more controlled than plaster. Smother usually means an especially heavy covering and often carries a negative feeling. Paper is narrower: it is mainly for covering walls with wallpaper. Compare: Campaign workers plastered the fence with posters overnight. Snow covered the field by dawn. The cook coated the fish with flour, and the child smothered pancakes in syrup.

cover ↗coat ↗smother ↗paper ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • wet plaster
  • plaster cast
  • waterproof plaster
  • plaster wall

Adverbs

Phrases

  • be in plaster
  • put a plaster on
  • plaster a wall
  • be plastered with

Prepositions

  • in plaster
  • plaster on
  • plaster over
  • plaster with
  • plaster to

Etymology

GreekLatinOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Plaster came into English very early through Latin from a Greek word linked to spreading or molding a flat layer. That older idea of laying something smoothly onto a surface still shows in the building sense, and later it also helped the word develop uses for a cast on a broken limb and for things stuck all over a surface.