canvassing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to Neutral. Common in political, business, and survey contexts.
Quick answer
What does “canvassing” mean?
The act of seeking votes, opinions, orders, or support by systematically visiting or contacting people.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of seeking votes, opinions, orders, or support by systematically visiting or contacting people.
The process of systematically examining or discussing a topic or idea in detail; also refers to the process of soliciting opinions or orders in commercial contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is identical. Usage is very similar, though 'canvassing' is more frequent in British political discourse. In AmE, the verb 'canvass' is also used in legal contexts (e.g., to question potential jurors).
Connotations
Primarily political in both, but can carry a neutral-to-slightly negative connotation if perceived as intrusive.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English, especially during election periods.
Grammar
How to Use “canvassing” in a Sentence
[Subject] + is/are + canvassing + [for votes/support/opinions][Subject] + began/stopped + canvassing + [geographic area][Subject] + engage in + canvassingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “canvassing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The candidate spent the weekend canvassing in marginal constituencies.
- We'll be canvassing local residents about the proposed cycle lane.
American English
- Volunteers are canvassing the neighborhood for the upcoming primary.
- The firm canvassed potential clients for their feedback.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- She is our lead canvassing agent.
- The canvassing results were very promising.
American English
- He joined a canvassing team in Ohio.
- We reviewed the canvassing data yesterday.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Systematically contacting potential customers to generate sales leads or gather market research.
Academic
The process of gathering data or opinions for a sociological or political science study.
Everyday
Describing the activity of political volunteers knocking on doors before an election.
Technical
In data science, can refer to the systematic gathering of survey responses or annotations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “canvassing”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “canvassing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “canvassing”
- Misspelling as 'canvasing' (one 's').
- Using it as a simple synonym for 'asking' without the systematic, organized connotation.
- Confusing 'canvass' (verb) with 'canvas' (noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while strongly associated with politics, it is also used in market research, sales, and any context involving systematically soliciting opinions or orders.
Canvassing involves direct, broad contact with the public or a group to seek support or opinions. Lobbying targets specific officials or legislators to influence policy.
Yes, the term is increasingly used for digital outreach (e.g., email canvassing, social media canvassing), though it traditionally implies physical, face-to-face contact.
It is generally neutral, describing an activity. The connotation depends on the viewer's perception of the activity itself (e.g., informative vs. intrusive).
The act of seeking votes, opinions, orders, or support by systematically visiting or contacting people.
Canvassing is usually formal to neutral. common in political, business, and survey contexts. in register.
Canvassing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkænvəsɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkænvəsɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be out canvassing”
- “to hit the pavement (for canvassing)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CANVAS bag filled with VOTES. A volunteer is SINGing while going door-to-door to fill the CANVAS with votes = CANVASSING.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICS IS WAR (canvassing is 'fighting for ground' or 'winning hearts and minds').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'canvassing' LEAST likely to be used?