tarp
MediumInformal
Definition
Meaning
A large sheet of strong, flexible, waterproof material, typically made of nylon, canvas, or polyethylene, used to cover and protect objects from the weather.
Informal, short for tarpaulin. By extension, any temporary, improvised shelter or covering made from such material.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Tarp" is a clipped form of "tarpaulin". It is predominantly used in informal, everyday contexts, especially in North America. It strongly connotes practical, often temporary, outdoor use (e.g., camping, construction, protecting vehicles or materials).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The clipped form "tarp" is far more common and unmarked in American English. In British English, "tarpaulin" is more frequent in formal writing, though "tarp" is understood and used informally.
Connotations
In AmE, "tarp" is a standard, neutral term for the object. In BrE, it retains a slightly more informal or technical feel compared to the full word.
Frequency
"Tarp" is high-frequency in American English across spoken and informal written registers. In British English, "tarpaulin" holds higher frequency overall, with "tarp" being a common but informal alternative.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VERB] [NOUN] with a tarp (e.g., cover, protect)put/lay/drape a tarp [PREPOSITION] [NOUN] (e.g., over, on)[NOUN] under a tarpVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “under the tarp (meaning: hidden or stored temporarily)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in logistics, construction, and warehousing for temporary protection of goods and materials.
Academic
Rare; might appear in historical texts or technical manuals describing materials.
Everyday
Very common for home projects, gardening, camping, and protecting outdoor furniture or vehicles.
Technical
Used in specifications for materials (e.g., 'heavy-duty polyethylene tarp').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We need to tarp the woodpile before the rain starts.
- They tarpaulin the lorries overnight.
American English
- Let's tarp the boat before the storm hits.
- He tarped the garden soil to kill the weeds.
adjective
British English
- It was a tarp-like material covering the hole.
- They lived in a tarpaulin shelter.
American English
- We bought some tarp material from the hardware store.
- The tarp cover blew off in the wind.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We put a blue tarp over the bicycle.
- The tarp keeps the table dry.
- Before the storm, we covered the furniture with a large plastic tarp.
- The firewood is under a tarp behind the house.
- The construction crew secured the heavy-duty tarp over the excavated site to prevent erosion.
- He improvised a shelter by draping a tarp between two trees.
- Critics argued that the government's new policy was merely a tarp over the systemic issues, offering no long-term solution.
- The archaeological finds were kept under tarps to protect them from the elements until proper analysis could begin.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CAR that you PARK under a blue TARP to protect it.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A COVERING / IMPERMANENCE IS A TEMPORARY SHIELD
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'брезент' (tarpaulin) if context is informal; 'тент' (awning) or 'непромокаемая ткань/пленка' (waterproof fabric/film) may be more contextually accurate.
- Do not confuse with 'tar' (смола).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'tarp' in very formal writing where 'tarpaulin' is expected (especially in BrE).
- Confusing 'tarp' (the sheet) with 'tent' (a freestanding shelter).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'tarp' LEAST likely to be used formally?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a fully accepted, standard word in English, originating as a clipping of 'tarpaulin'. It is considered informal but is the dominant term in everyday American English.
There is no material difference. 'Tarp' is simply the shortened, more colloquial form. 'Tarpaulin' is more formal and is preferred in British English and technical specifications.
Yes, especially in American English (e.g., 'to tarp the roof'). It means to cover something with a tarpaulin. This usage is informal but common.
Common materials include polyethylene plastic (common for cheap, disposable tarps), canvas (traditional, breathable), vinyl (heavy-duty), and nylon (lightweight for camping).