Duck vs. Canvas — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 6, 2024
Duck fabric is a tightly woven cotton cloth used in a variety of applications, while canvas is a heavier, more durable fabric often used for painting surfaces and sturdy items like sails and tents.
Difference Between Duck and Canvas
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Key Differences
Duck fabric is a plain, tightly woven cotton known for its lightness and versatility, used in applications from clothing to bags. Canvas, on the other hand, is a heavier, more robust fabric traditionally made from hemp, used for items requiring durability like sails, tents, and as a painting surface.
While duck is considered a type of canvas due to its woven nature, it is generally lighter and has a smoother surface, making it suitable for apparel and delicate applications. Conversely, canvas is characterized by its rough texture and substantial weight, making it ideal for protective coverings and heavy-duty use.
In the realm of art, duck fabric can be used for painting when a fine texture is desired, whereas canvas is preferred for its texture and durability, offering a robust surface for oil and acrylic paints.
For outdoor applications, canvas is often the material of choice due to its strength and ability to withstand harsh conditions, whereas duck fabric is favored for lighter duties where a balance of durability and flexibility is needed.
Despite their differences, both duck and canvas are celebrated for their reliability and versatility, serving a wide range of purposes from artistic endeavors to practical uses in everyday items and outdoor gear.
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Comparison Chart
Material
Cotton (sometimes linen or synthetic fibers)
Hemp, cotton, or linen
Texture
Smooth, tightly woven
Rough, heavy and durable
Weight
Light to medium
Medium to heavy
Common Uses
Clothing, bags, shoes
Sails, tents, artist's canvas
Durability
Durable but less so than canvas
Extremely durable
Water Resistance
Often treated for water resistance
Naturally water-resistant and often treated for extra protection
Artistic Use
Fine-textured paintings
Textured paintings, heavy-duty artistic applications
Outdoor Suitability
Lighter outdoor use, such as covers and awnings
Heavy-duty outdoor use like sails and tents
Compare with Definitions
Duck
A tightly woven, light to medium weight cotton fabric.
The new line of designer bags is made from high-quality duck fabric.
Canvas
A durable, heavy-duty fabric traditionally made from hemp.
The artist chose a fine piece of canvas for his next masterpiece.
Duck
Suitable for a wide range of applications from fashion to upholstery.
Duck fabric curtains added a cozy, yet durable touch to the room.
Canvas
Known for its strength and durability, suitable for harsh conditions.
The canvas tent stood firm against the heavy storm.
Duck
Often treated to enhance water resistance and durability.
The water-resistant duck fabric made the raincoat both stylish and practical.
Canvas
Offers a distinct texture, ideal for certain types of art.
The canvas's rough texture added depth to the oil painting.
Duck
Characterized by a plain, tight weave.
The tight weave of the duck fabric ensured its durability and smooth finish.
Canvas
Naturally resistant to water, often treated for additional protection.
Their canvas jackets were perfect for the wet, windy weather.
Duck
Preferred for lightweight, durable items.
Lightweight yet durable, duck fabric shoes offer comfort and style.
Canvas
Commonly used for sails, tents, and as a sturdy substrate for painting.
The heavy-duty canvas cover protected the boat from the elements.
Duck
Duck is the common name for numerous species of waterfowl in the family Anatidae. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than swans and geese, which are also members of the same family.
Canvas
Canvas is an extremely durable plain-woven fabric used for making sails, tents, marquees, backpacks, shelters, as a support for oil painting and for other items for which sturdiness is required, as well as in such fashion objects as handbags, electronic device cases, and shoes. It is also popularly used by artists as a painting surface, typically stretched across a wooden frame.
Duck
A waterbird with a broad blunt bill, short legs, webbed feet, and a waddling gait.
Canvas
A strong, coarse unbleached cloth made from hemp, flax, or a similar yarn, used to make items such as sails and tents and as a surface for oil painting
The painting is oil on canvas
A canvas bag
Duck
A pure white thin-shelled bivalve mollusc found off the Atlantic coasts of America.
Canvas
Cover with canvas
The door had been canvassed over
Duck
An amphibious transport vehicle
Visitors can board an amphibious duck to explore the city
Canvas
A heavy, coarse, closely woven fabric of cotton, hemp, or flax, traditionally used for tents and sails.
Duck
A quick lowering of the head.
Canvas
A piece of such fabric on which a painting, especially an oil painting, is executed.
Duck
Dear; darling (used as an informal or affectionate form of address, especially among cockneys)
Where've yer been, ducks!
It's time you changed, my duck
Canvas
A painting executed on such fabric.
Duck
A strong linen or cotton fabric, used chiefly for work clothes and sails
Cotton duck
Canvas
A fabric of coarse open weave, used as a foundation for needlework.
Duck
A batsman's score of nought
He was out for a duck
Canvas
The background against which events unfold, as in a historical narrative
A grim portrait of despair against the bright canvas of the postwar economy.
Duck
Lower the head or the body quickly to avoid a blow or missile or so as not to be seen
Spectators ducked for cover
He ducked his head and entered
Canvas
(Nautical) A sail or set of sails.
Duck
Push or plunge (someone) under water, either playfully or as a punishment
Rufus grabbed him from behind to duck him under the surface
Canvas
A tent or group of tents.
Duck
Refrain from playing a winning card on a particular trick for tactical reasons
Declarer ducked the opening spade lead
Canvas
A circus tent.
Duck
Any of various wild or domesticated waterbirds of the family Anatidae, characteristically having a broad flat bill, short legs, and webbed feet.
Canvas
(Sports) The floor of a ring in which boxing or wrestling takes place.
Duck
A female duck.
Canvas
A type of coarse cloth, woven from hemp, useful for making sails and tents or as a surface for paintings.
Duck
The flesh of a duck used as food.
Canvas
(painting)
Duck
(Slang) A person, especially one thought of as peculiar.
Canvas
A piece of canvas cloth stretched across a frame on which one may paint.
Duck
Often ducks (used with a sing. verb) Chiefly British A dear.
Canvas
A painting, or a picture on canvas.
Duck
A quick lowering of the head or body.
Canvas
A mesh of loosely woven cotton strands or molded plastic to be decorated with needlepoint, cross-stitch, rug hooking, or other crafts.
Duck
A plunge under water.
Canvas
(figuratively) A basis for creative work.
The author takes rural midwestern life as a canvas for a series of tightly woven character studies
Duck
A durable, closely woven heavy cotton or linen fabric.
Canvas
(computer graphics) A region on which graphics can be rendered.
Duck
Ducks Clothing made of duck, especially white pants.
Canvas
(nautical) Sails in general.
Duck
An amphibious military truck used during World War II.
Canvas
A tent.
He spent the night under canvas.
Duck
A similar vehicle used for civilian purposes, as to evacuate flood victims or for sightseeing tours. In both senses also called DUKW.
Canvas
A rough draft or model of a song, air, or other literary or musical composition; especially one to show a poet the measure of the verses he is to make.
Duck
To lower quickly, especially so as to avoid something
Ducked his head as the ball came toward him.
Canvas
(Nigeria) Athletic shoes.
Duck
To evade; dodge
Duck responsibility.
Ducked the reporter's question.
Canvas
Obsolete spelling of canvass
Duck
To push (a person, for example) suddenly under water.
Canvas
(transitive) To cover (an area or object) with canvas.
Duck
In bridge, to deliberately play a card that is lower than (an opponent's card).
Canvas
Obsolete spelling of canvass
Duck
To lower the head or body.
Canvas
A strong cloth made of hemp, flax, or cotton; - used for tents, sails, etc.
By glimmering lanes and walls of canvas led.
Duck
To move swiftly, especially so as to escape being seen
Ducked behind a bush.
Canvas
A coarse cloth so woven as to form regular meshes for working with the needle, as in tapestry, or worsted work.
History . . . does not bring out clearly upon the canvas the details which were familiar.
Duck
To submerge the head or body briefly in water.
Canvas
Something for which canvas is used: (a) A sail, or a collection of sails. (b) A tent, or a collection of tents. (c) A painting, or a picture on canvas.
To suit his canvas to the roughness of the see.
Light, rich as that which glows on the canvas of Claude.
Duck
To evade a responsibility or obligation. Often used with out
Duck out on one's family.
Canvas
A rough draft or model of a song, air, or other literary or musical composition; esp. one to show a poet the measure of the verses he is to make.
Duck
In bridge, to lose a trick by deliberately playing lower than one's opponent.
Canvas
Made of, pertaining to, or resembling, canvas or coarse cloth; as, a canvas tent.
Duck
(intransitive) To quickly lower the head or body, often in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
Duck! There's a branch falling off the tree!
Canvas
Heavy closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
Duck
(transitive) To quickly lower (the head or body), often in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
Canvas
An oil painting on canvas
Duck
(transitive) To lower (something) into water; to thrust or plunge under liquid and suddenly withdraw.
Canvas
The setting for a narrative or fictional or dramatic account;
The crowded canvas of history
The movie demanded a dramatic canvas of sound
Duck
(intransitive) To go under the surface of water and immediately reappear; to plunge one's head into water or other liquid.
Canvas
A tent made of canvas
Duck
(intransitive) To bow.
Canvas
A large piece of fabric (as canvas) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
Duck
(transitive) To evade doing something.
Canvas
The mat that forms the floor of the ring in which boxers or professional wrestlers compete;
The boxer picked himself up off the canvas
Duck
(transitive) To lower the volume of (a sound) so that other sounds in the mix can be heard more clearly.
Canvas
Solicit votes from potential voters in an electoral campaign
Duck
(intransitive) To enter a place for a short moment.
I'm just going to duck into the loo for a minute, can you hold my bag?
Canvas
Get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions
Duck
(caving) A cave passage containing water with low, or no, airspace.
Canvas
Cover with canvas;
She canvassed the walls of her living room so as to conceal the ugly cracks
Duck
An aquatic bird of the family Anatidae, having a flat bill and webbed feet.
Canvas
Consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning;
Analyze a sonnet by Shakespeare
Analyze the evidence in a criminal trial
Analyze your real motives
Duck
Specifically, an adult female duck; contrasted with drake and with duckling.
Duck
(uncountable) The flesh of a duck used as food.
Duck
(cricket) A batsman's score of zero after getting out. (short for duck's egg, since the digit "0" is round like an egg.)
Duck
(slang) A playing card with the rank of two.
Duck
A building intentionally constructed in the shape of an everyday object to which it is related.
A luncheonette in the shape of a coffee cup is particularly conspicuous, as is intended of an architectural duck or folly.
Duck
A marble to be shot at with another marble (the shooter) in children's games.
Duck
(US) A cairn used to mark a trail.
Duck
One of the weights used to hold a spline in place for the purpose of drawing a curve.
Duck
Synonym of lame duck
Duck
(medicine) A long-necked medical urinal for men.
Duck
A faggot; a meatball made from offal.
Duck
A tightly-woven cotton fabric used as sailcloth.
Duck
(in plural) Trousers made of such material.
Duck
A term of endearment; pet; darling.
Duck
(Midlands) Dear, mate (informal way of addressing a friend or stranger).
Ay up duck, ow'a'tha?
Duck
A pet; a darling.
Duck
A linen (or sometimes cotton) fabric, finer and lighter than canvas, - used for the lighter sails of vessels, the sacking of beds, and sometimes for men's clothing.
Duck
The light clothes worn by sailors in hot climates.
Duck
Any bird of the subfamily Anatinæ, family Anatidæ.
Duck
A sudden inclination of the bead or dropping of the person, resembling the motion of a duck in water.
Here be, without duck or nod,Other trippings to be trod.
Duck
To thrust or plunge under water or other liquid and suddenly withdraw.
Adams, after ducking the squire twice or thrice, leaped out of the tub.
Duck
To plunge the head of under water, immediately withdrawing it; as, duck the boy.
Duck
To bow; to bob down; to move quickly with a downward motion.
Duck
To go under the surface of water and immediately reappear; to dive; to plunge the head in water or other liquid; to dip.
In Tiber ducking thrice by break of day.
Duck
To drop the head or person suddenly; to bow.
The learned pateDucks to the golden fool.
Duck
Small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
Duck
(cricket) a score of nothing by a batsman
Duck
Flesh of a duck (domestic or wild)
Duck
A heavy cotton fabric of plain weave; used for clothing and tents
Duck
To move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away;
Before he could duck, another stone struck him
Duck
Submerge or plunge suddenly
Duck
Dip into a liquid;
He dipped into the pool
Duck
Avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues);
He dodged the issue
She skirted the problem
They tend to evade their responsibilities
He evaded the questions skillfully
Common Curiosities
What is duck fabric?
A light to medium weight, tightly woven cotton cloth.
How does canvas differ from duck fabric?
Canvas is generally heavier and more durable than duck fabric.
Is duck fabric water-resistant?
It can be treated to enhance water resistance.
What makes duck fabric suitable for apparel?
Its lighter weight and smoother texture make it comfortable for clothing.
Can duck fabric be used for painting?
Yes, it's suitable for fine-textured paintings.
What are common uses for canvas?
Canvas is used for sails, tents, and as a painting surface.
Which is heavier, duck or canvas?
Canvas is typically heavier than duck fabric.
Can canvas be used for clothing?
Yes, though it's usually reserved for heavy-duty or protective garments.
Can duck fabric be used for outdoor applications?
Yes, for lighter duties where durability and flexibility are balanced.
Why is canvas preferred for outdoor gear?
Its durability and water resistance make it ideal for harsh conditions.
How does the durability of duck and canvas compare?
Canvas is more durable, making it suitable for heavier-duty applications.
Are all canvas materials made from hemp?
Traditionally, yes, but modern canvas can also be made from cotton or linen.
Is canvas suitable for all types of painting?
Its texture makes it ideal for oil and acrylic paints.
What type of weave does duck fabric have?
A plain, tight weave.
How is canvas treated for water resistance?
It can be coated or treated with waterproofing substances.
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Banana vs. VanillaAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
