What does plaster mean?
Plaster is a versatile material and the action associated with applying it. In construction, it is a soft mixture, traditionally based on gypsum or lime, that is spread over walls, ceilings, and other surfaces to create a smooth, durable finish. The word also has a medical sense: a plaster may be an adhesive dressing for a small wound, while a plaster cast is a rigid support that keeps an injured limb immobile as it heals. As a verb, to plaster a surface means to cover it with plaster; informally, to be plastered can mean to be covered heavily in makeup or, in British usage, to be very drunk. Although plaster can refer broadly to several mixtures, its best-known building form is closely associated with plaster of Paris, a gypsum plaster used for casts and decorative work. The word's long history connects modern building materials with an ancient tradition of making mortar and shaped plaster.
A soft material, traditionally made from gypsum or lime, that is applied to walls, ceilings, or other surfaces and hardens to form a smooth finish. The word can also denote an adhesive medical dressing or a rigid cast for an injured limb.
"Fresh plaster is being applied to the old ceiling."
The material sense is standard in construction. In British English, 'plaster' is also common for an adhesive dressing, whereas 'cast' is usually preferred for the rigid form used to immobilize a limb.
To cover a surface with plaster, or to apply plaster to an object or injured part of the body.
"They plastered the wall before painting it."
The construction sense is formal or technical. Informally, 'plaster' can mean to cover oneself heavily with makeup, and 'plastered' can mean very drunk in British usage.
The plural is used for separate pieces of plaster, distinct applications of plaster, or individual medical dressings.
"The pharmacist gave her several plasters for her cuts."
From the same ancient root as plinth, plaster began as a building material and later became something you might wear on a scraped knee.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does plaster come from?
The English word comes through Latin plasterium, meaning plaster or a plasterer's work, from Greek plinthos, a root associated with mortar and a base or slab of stone. The same Greek source also lies behind English 'plinth'. Over time, plaster developed from its ancient use as a building and sculptural material into modern terms for both medical dressings and rigid casts.
Related word forms
How plaster is actually used
In British English, 'plaster' commonly refers to a small adhesive dressing for a minor wound, while 'plaster cast' is the usual term for a rigid support for an injured limb. In informal British usage, 'plastered' can mean very drunk; in both British and American informal usage, it can also mean covered heavily with makeup. The verb is formal or technical when it refers to applying building plaster, but informal when describing heavy makeup or an excessive covering.
Easily confused with plaster
Plaster is the material or the act of applying it, while plastered is the adjective describing a surface covered with plaster or, informally, a person heavily covered in alcohol or makeup.
Plaster is a wall or ceiling material, whereas a plinth is a base or pedestal that supports a column, statue, or other object.