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• gloss
  gloss

  noun

  a superficial luster or shine; glaze.
• gloss.
  gloss.

  abbreviation

  glossary.

gloss

¹ American  

[glos, glaws] / glɒs, glɔs /

noun

1. a superficial luster or shine; glaze.

   the gloss of satin.

2. a false or deceptively good appearance.

   Synonyms:

   facade, veneer, front

3. Also a cosmetic that adds sheen or luster, especially one for the lips.

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verb (used with object)

1. to put a gloss upon.

2. to give a false or deceptively good appearance to.

   to gloss over flaws in the woodwork.

gloss ² American  

[glos, glaws] / glɒs, glɔs /

noun

1. an explanation or translation of a foreign, technical, or unusual word or expression in a text.

   Synonyms:

   annotation, comment

2. a series of verbal interpretations of a text.

   Synonyms:

   explication, exegesis, critique, commentary

3. a glossary.

4. an artfully misleading interpretation.

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verb (used with object)

1. to insert glosses on; annotate.

   Synonyms:

   explicate, analyze, interpret, explain

2. to place (a word) in a gloss.

3. to give a specious interpretation of; explain away (often followed by over oraway ).

   to gloss over a serious problem with a pat solution.

verb (used without object)

1. to make glosses.

gloss. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. glossary.

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gloss ¹ British  

/ ɡlɒs /

noun

1. 1. lustre or sheen, as of a smooth surface

   2. ( as modifier )

      gloss paint

2. a superficially attractive appearance

3. See gloss paint

4. a cosmetic preparation applied to the skin to give it a faint sheen

   lip gloss

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verb

1. to give a gloss to or obtain a gloss

gloss ² British  

/ ɡlɒs /

noun

1. a short or expanded explanation or interpretation of a word, expression, or foreign phrase in the margin or text of a manuscript, etc

2. an intentionally misleading explanation or interpretation

3. short for glossary

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verb

1. to add glosses to

gloss. ³ British  

abbreviation

1. glossary

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Synonym Usage

See polish.

Other Word Forms

• glosser
  noun
• glossless
  adjective
• glossingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of gloss¹

First recorded in 1530–40; probably akin to Dutch gloos “glowing,” Middle High German glosen “to glow, shine,” Swedish dialect glysa “to shine”

Origin of gloss²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun glose, gloce, from Old French glose, from Medieval Latin glōsa, glōza, from Greek glôssa “word requiring explanation,” literally, “language, tongue”; see also gloze,

Explanation

A gloss is a shiny finish on an object. It’s also an explanation about a word or phrase. Right now, you’re reading a gloss on the word gloss. Gloss has a number of meanings, so it’s a good idea to read our gloss on this word. Gloss can refer to the shine or polish on a smooth surface. A gloss can also be a definition or explanation. A book may have glosses that explain what unusual or technical terms mean. Sometimes gloss has a negative sense: if you leave out important information when discussing something, you could be accused of glossing over those details.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gloss gloss.

Spain scored twice in the second half via Paco Alcacer and Sergio Ramos to take some of the gloss off the scoreline - but it was still a mightily impressive win for Gareth Southgate's side.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

Kavanaugh, in a concurrence, added his own gloss, reiterating the court’s previous declaration that the Fed is a “quasi-private, uniquely structured entity” with a “distinct historical tradition.”

From Slate ● Jun. 29, 2026

While “Blue Heron” may not come coated in the feel-good gloss of “The Sheep Detectives,” these two films are mirror images — not two in a trend, but in direct conversation with one another.

From Salon ● May 25, 2026

And though the high gloss may be an act given Gaston’s actual vocation, Marshall plays the part as if the crook himself believes the masquerade.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 10, 2026

Lorena puts on a coat of my lip gloss.

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez

Wherefore the reason is evidently and clearly deduced and set down before us in gloss. in prooemio. ff. par. ne autem tertii.

From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 3 by Motteux, Peter Anthony

Nor is this all; for the inconvenience of the contrary is set down in gloss. c. de allu. l. fin.

From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 3 by Motteux, Peter Anthony

These are indicted by a number in angle brackets in the marginal gloss.*

From The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems by Purves, D. Laing

Related Words

• glaze
• luster
• varnish
• veneer