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Meaning & use

awl

noun·Advanced

Last updated

UK/ɔːl/
US/ɔːl/

Meaning

  1. nouncountable

    A small hand tool with a sharp point and a handle, used to make holes or guide marks in leather, wood or fabric.

    Grammar: Pronounced the same as all and awe.

    Patterns

    • punch a hole with an awl
    • an awl for something

    He pierced the belt with an awl before sewing it.

    The carpenter marked the spot with an awl so the drill would not slip.

    A leatherworker keeps several awls in her tool roll.

Word forms

pluralawls

Common combinations

sharp awl
A sharp awl makes a clean hole in leather.
scratch awl
Use a scratch awl to mark the line on the board.
stitching awl
The stitching awl pushed through the thick canvas.
pierce with an awl
Pierce the strap with an awl before inserting the rivet.
awl and thread
The saddler worked with an awl and thread.

Synonyms and how they differ

bradawl
Bradawl is the British name for a similar awl used to start screw holes in wood.
punch
A punch cuts or hammers out a hole, while an awl pierces and pushes material aside.
bodkin
A bodkin is a blunt needle for threading ribbon, not a piercing tool like an awl.

Word family

bradawl noun
a small awl with a flat tip, mainly British
scratch awl noun
an awl used to mark lines on wood or metal

Commonly confused: awl or all? awl or awe?

awl vs all

All means every one or everything; awl is a tool. They are pronounced the same.

awl vs awe

Awe is wonder or respect; it sounds identical to awl in many accents.

Practice

Which word names a tool used to pierce leather?

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