What does mallet mean?
A mallet is a heavy striking tool with a large, typically wooden head and a short handle. Unlike an ordinary hammer, whose head is generally made of metal and suited to nails, a mallet is designed to deliver a powerful but comparatively controlled blow. It may be used to drive wooden wedges, shape materials, or strike another object. The word also refers to the long-handled wooden bat used in croquet and, by extension, to a padded beater for instruments such as the vibraphone. As a verb, “to mallet” means to strike repeatedly with such a tool; informally, it can also mean to beat someone violently, though this figurative use is uncommon in formal writing. The word is standard in both British and American English and is especially useful when the material or shape of the striking head is significant.
A short-handled hammer with a large, usually wooden head, used for delivering forceful blows or driving wedges; also a similar striker used in croquet or for playing certain percussion instruments.
"He tapped the chisel lightly with a wooden mallet."
The word commonly describes a tool distinguished from a metal-headed hammer by its large, relatively soft or wooden head.
To strike or beat something repeatedly with a mallet; informally, to hit or beat someone or something forcefully.
"The workers malleted the stakes into the ground."
The literal sense is uncommon but standard. The informal sense, especially the use for violent beating, is chiefly found in American English.
The regular plural is used for multiple tools or, less commonly, for several types of mallet.
"The musicians collected a set of wooden mallets before the performance."
Mallet comes from a French diminutive meaning “little hammer,” but the tool it names is built for delivering very large blows.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mallet come from?
The word entered English from French maillet, a diminutive of mail, meaning “hammer.” The French word ultimately derives from Latin malleus, “hammer,” which is also the source of forms such as malleable. The Latin term was also borrowed directly into English as malleus, the anatomical name for the hammer-shaped bone of the middle ear.
Related word forms
How mallet is actually used
In its main tool sense, mallet is standard in British and American English. The informal sense of “to beat up” is strongly figurative and usually more common in American English.
Easily confused with mallet
A mallet typically has a longer handle and a large wooden or similarly nonmetal head, whereas a hammer generally has a metal head and is used for driving nails and striking metal objects.