daub
daub — verb
- daubpresent simple I / you / we / they
- daubshe / she / it
- daubedpast simple
- daubing-ing form
1. to carelessly put a wet, paste-like material — for example paint, mud, or cream
to carelessly put a wet, paste-like material — for example paint, mud, or cream — over a surface in a hurry, without trying to make it tidy
Emre daubed bright blue paint onto the old wooden fence without using a brush.
daub + substance + onto + surface
The toddlers daubed their hands with finger paint and left colourful marks on the table.
daub + surface + with + substance
Someone had daubed rude words on the wall of the abandoned house with red paint.
Lukas daubed a thick layer of glue over the torn poster and pressed it back onto the board.
Valentina daubed white sun cream onto the baby's shoulders to protect them from the sun.
文法句型
daub + paint/mud/cream + on/onto/over + surface
daub + surface + with + paint/mud/cream
用法筆記
The substance being applied and the surface receiving it can both appear as the direct object, but the choice changes the pattern: 'daub paint on a wall' places the substance as object, while 'daub a wall with paint' places the surface as object. The word typically implies a messy or careless result.
常見錯誤
daub — noun
- daubsingular
- daubsplural
1. a small area of a thick or sticky substance, such as paint, mud, or grease, that
a small area of a thick or sticky substance, such as paint, mud, or grease, that has been left on a surface, usually by accident
There was a daub of red paint on the carpet near the edge of the table.
daub of + substance
Romi wiped a daub of mud off her shirt before going into the house.
The kitchen wall was covered in daubs of oil and tomato sauce after the cooking class.
Mira noticed a dark daub of grease on the garage floor where the engine had leaked.
用法筆記
Closely related to the verb sense — a daub (noun) is the visible result left after someone has daubed (verb). Similar to 'smear' but often implies a thicker, more noticeable mark.
2. a picture that is painted without skill or care and therefore looks rough or chi
a picture that is painted without skill or care and therefore looks rough or childish
The art teacher looked at my daub and suggested I try drawing with pencils instead.
The gallery wall was full of terrible daubs that looked as if a child had painted them.
collocation: terrible daubs
Saira laughed at her own daub of a sunset and promised to take proper painting lessons.
Wei studied the muddy daub on the canvas and could not decide if it was a landscape or a face.
- masterpiece
masterpiece refers to an excellent work of art, the opposite of a clumsy painting
用法筆記
Often used humorously or self-deprecatingly — someone might call their own painting a 'daub' to show they do not think it is good. It is a light insult, not a harsh one.
3. a soft mixture of clay, mud, or plaster that is spread onto walls to create a su
a soft mixture of clay, mud, or plaster that is spread onto walls to create a surface, especially in traditional building methods
The old cottage was built with wooden posts and the gaps were filled with daub made of mud and straw.
collocation: wattle and daub
In many traditional houses, the walls are a mix of daub and wooden frames called wattle.
Obi learned how to mix daub from clay, sand, and water before applying it to the wall frame.
The workers prepared fresh daub to repair the damaged section of the outer wall.
用法筆記
Primarily a historical or construction term. Most frequently encountered in the phrase 'wattle and daub', which describes an ancient building technique used around the world.