varnish

American  

[vahr-nish] / ˈvɑr nɪʃ /

noun

1. a preparation consisting of resinous matter, as copal or lac, dissolved in an oil oil varnish or in alcohol spirit varnish or other volatile liquid. When applied to the surface of wood, metal, etc., it dries and leaves a hard, more or less glossy, usually transparent coating.

2. the sap of certain trees, used for the same purpose natural varnish.

3. any of various other preparations similarly used, as one having India rubber, pyroxylin, or asphalt as its chief constituent.

4. a coating or surface of varnish.

5. something resembling or suggesting a coat of varnish; gloss.

6. superficial polish or external show, especially to conceal some defect or inadequacy.

   The play has a varnish of witty dialogue.

7. British. nail polish.

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verb (used with object)

varnishes, present (3rd person singular) varnished, past participle, past varnishing present participle

1. to apply varnish to; coat or cover with varnish.

2. to give a glossy appearance to.

3. to give an improved appearance to; adorn.

4. to give a superficially pleasing appearance to, especially in order to deceive.

   to varnish the truth.

   Synonyms:

   disguise, gild

varnish British  

/ ˈvɑːnɪʃ /

noun

1. Also called: oil varnish.  a preparation consisting of a solvent, a drying oil, and usually resin, rubber, bitumen, etc, for application to a surface where it polymerizes to yield a hard glossy, usually transparent, coating

2. a similar preparation consisting of a substance, such as shellac or cellulose ester, dissolved in a volatile solvent, such as alcohol. It hardens to a film on evaporation of the solvent See also spirit varnish

3. Also called: natural varnish.  the sap of certain trees used to produce such a coating

4. a smooth surface, coated with or as with varnish

5. an artificial, superficial, or deceptively pleasing manner, covering, etc; veneer

6. another word for nail polish

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verb

1. to cover with varnish

2. to give a smooth surface to, as if by painting with varnish

3. to impart a more attractive appearance to

4. to make superficially attractive

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• varnisher
  noun
• varnishy
  adjective
• revarnish
  verb (used with object)
• well-varnished
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has varnished
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have varnished
  perfect
• have been varnishing
  perfect progressive
• is varnishing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are varnishing
  progressive
• has been varnishing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am varnishing
  progressive 1st person singular
• varnishing
  participle
• varnishes
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had varnished
  perfect
• had been varnishing
  perfect progressive
• were varnishing
  progressive plural
• varnished
  simple
• varnished
  participle
• was varnishing
  progressive singular

Future

• will varnish
  simple
• will have varnished
  perfect
• will be varnishing
  progressive
• will have been varnishing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of varnish

1300–50; Middle English varnisch < Middle French vernis, verniz < Medieval Latin vernicium sandarac < Medieval Greek bernī́kē, syncopated variant of Greek Berenī́kē, city in Cyrenaica

Explanation

Varnish is a shiny coating that's painted on a floor or piece of furniture and then dries clear and luminous. After refinishing an old oak chair, you might apply a coat of varnish. (Just don't sit on it until it's dry.) Varnish gives artwork, furniture, and other objects a finished, glossy look, and it also protects the surface. Most varnish is made from oil, solvent, and resin. You can also use the word as a verb, meaning "to coat with varnish." Many people decide to varnish their wood floors or their wooden kitchen counters. The Medieval Latin root word is vernix, "odorous or fragrant resin."

Example Sentences

I go to Varnish Lab for a manicure with Tommy, or Escape Spa in Playa Vista for a facial or a massage.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2026

Bar veteran and cocktail book author Eric Alperin, co-owner of The Varnish in downtown Los Angeles, believes that ultimately, bars will survive, albeit not quite the same as they did pre-pandemic.

From Salon • May 31, 2021

Varnish is threatening to take legal action against the organization.

From New York Times • Jun. 18, 2017

Varnish, who was dropped from the British team after failing to qualify for the team sprint for Rio, will not be in Brazil.

From Reuters • Jul. 23, 2016

Varnish, although wanting the delicacy of that of Stainer, is generally of good quality; its colour is mostly pale red.

From The Violin Its Famous Makers and Their Imitators by Hart, George

Related Words

• gild
• lacquer