5K

Canvassing

UK //ˈkæn.vəs.ɪŋ// US //ˈkæn.vəs.ɪŋ// Pronunciation

Definition

The act of seeking opinions or votes from people, especially in political contexts.

Listen to definition

In simple words: Asking people for their opinions or votes.

Examples

• The team went canvassing in the neighborhood to gather support for the candidate.
• Canvassing opinions on social issues is essential for understanding public sentiment.
• They spent the weekend canvassing, hoping to reach every household before the election.
• The organization was canvassing residents to ask about their concerns regarding local policies.
• Canvassing during a storm made the volunteers' job much more challenging.

Usage notes

Used mainly in political contexts or surveys. Can be informal in door-to-door situations but is more formal in written reports.

Grammar pattern

canvassing + object

Memory hint

Think 'can-vass' like you are vassals asking for votes.

Collocations

• door-to-door canvassing
• political canvassing
• voter canvassing
• community canvassing
• canvassing efforts

Synonyms

• polling
• surveying
• soliciting
• petitioning
• interviewing

Common mistakes

• Confused with 'canvas', which refers to a type of fabric.
• Using 'canvass' instead of 'canvassing' in continuous forms.
• Misusing as a noun instead of a verb.