Meaning & use
drywall
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountable
A building material made of a gypsum core covered with paper, used for interior walls and ceilings.
Grammar: Uncountable; no plural form. Can be used with 'a piece of' or 'a sheet of'.
Patterns
- install drywall
- drywall sheets
- a piece of drywall
The workers installed drywall in the new office.
He patched the hole in the drywall with a small piece.
Drywall is easier to work with than plaster.
nouncountable
A wall or ceiling constructed from this material.
Grammar: Can be countable when referring to a specific wall: 'a drywall' or 'drywalls'.
Patterns
- paint the drywall
- hang a picture on the drywall
The drywall in the living room needs painting.
They hung shelves on the drywall.
Word forms
| plural | drywalls |
|---|
Common combinations
- install drywall
- They will install drywall next week.
- drywall screws
- Use drywall screws to attach the panels.
- drywall joint compound
- Apply drywall joint compound to smooth the seams.
- paint the drywall
- We need to paint the drywall before moving in.
Synonyms and how they differ
- plasterboard
- The British term for the same material; drywall is the standard American word.
- sheetrock
- A trademarked brand name often used generically in the US, similar to drywall.
Commonly confused: drywall or plaster?
drywall vs plaster
Plaster is a wet mixture applied to walls; drywall is a dry panel product.
Practice
What is drywall commonly used for?
Choose one answer.
Drywall is used for interior walls and ceilings. It is not typically used for roofing, flooring, or insulation.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “drywall”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.