What does mortared mean?
Mortared describes masonry that has been joined, sealed, or covered with mortar, the binding material traditionally used between bricks, blocks, and stones. The word is especially common when discussing walls, joints, brickwork, or the construction of buildings. It may also indicate that an object contains a substantial amount of mortar. In informal British and Irish English, mortared can mean very drunk, although this figurative use is less suitable for formal contexts and is not the word’s dominant meaning. The adjective derives from mortar, which comes through Old French from Latin mortarium, originally a vessel used for crushing or grinding substances with a pestle. In modern construction, mortar serves as the original adhesive of masonry, filling irregular gaps and helping distribute weight across a wall. The word is therefore useful not only for describing building techniques but also for recalling the long history of architecture before modern concrete became dominant.
adjectiveJoined, sealed, or covered with mortar. Informally in British usage, mortared means very drunk.
- Joined, sealed, or covered with mortar.
- Containing or bonded together with mortar.
- Informally, very drunk.
"The masons laid each stone carefully before pressing the mortared joint into place."
"The old wall remains solid because each of its courses was mortared with care."
"After the celebration, several of the guests were completely mortared."
Long before reinforced concrete, mortared joints helped turn separate stones into enduring walls.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mortared come from?
Mortared was formed from mortar with the participial suffix -ed. The English word mortar came through Old French mortier from Latin mortarium, a vessel in which materials were crushed or ground with a pestle. Its masonry sense developed from that earlier use of a soft binding material; the informal sense meaning very drunk is a later figurative development whose precise origin is uncertain.
Related word forms
How mortared is actually used
In its construction sense, mortared is primarily a participial adjective used in masonry and architectural contexts. The sense meaning very drunk is informal and associated especially with British and Irish speech; it is unsuitable for formal writing.
Easily confused with mortared
Mortared describes something joined or covered with mortar, whereas mortal refers to a human being or something capable of dying.