caulk
KAHK
/ˈkɔːk/
A waterproof filler and sealant used to seal joints, seams, or cracks against leakage in buildings and plumbing.
Caulk is characterized by its flexibility; it is designed to expand and contract with temperature changes without cracking.
The story behind the word. The word caulk comes from the Old French 'cauquer', which traces back to the Latin 'calcare', meaning 'to tread or stamp down'. Historically, shipwrights caulked wooden ships by driving oakum (loose hemp fibers) into the seams between planks and sealing it with hot pitch.
Word relationships
- sealant: Sealant is a broader term for any protective coating, while caulk specifically refers to the thick, flexible paste squeezed from a tube into joints.
Commonly confused with
- grout: Caulk is flexible and waterproof, used for joints and edges, while grout is rigid, cement-based, and used to fill the spaces between tiles.
Word family
- caulking (noun): the material or process of sealing joints with caulk
Collocations
- silicone caulk
- apply caulk
- caulk gun
- waterproof caulk
Example sentences
- "Make sure to apply a fresh bead of silicone caulk around the edge of the bathtub to prevent water from seeping behind the tiles." Bathroom maintenance
- "Drafty windows can be easily fixed if you caulk the gaps between the window frame and the exterior siding." Energy efficiency guide
Memory hook
Think of sealing a 'cork' in a bottle to keep liquid from escaping; caulk does the same for your bathroom seams. Caulk blocks the water like a cork.
When not to use
Do not use caulk to fill wide, flat holes in dry areas of a wall; that is the job of spackle.
Fun facts
- In ancient shipbuilding, caulking was one of the most critical jobs; a poor caulker could cause an entire vessel to founder at sea.
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