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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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Related Words

See polish.

Other Word Forms

• glosser
  noun
• glossingly
  adverb
• glossless
  adjective

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

Michael Gloss, 21, who was killed in Ukraine last year, was the son of Juliane Gallina, who is the CIA's deputy director for digital innovation.

From BBC • Aug. 9, 2025

In December, Casey and his husband and business partner, Nick Axelrod-Welk, who co-founded the website Into the Gloss and the brand Nécessaire, opened Contrapposto, a cosmetic dermatology clinic in West Hollywood.

From New York Times • May 16, 2024

Come for the laughs, stay for the lippie: Place an order and Sloan will personally pack your Giggle Gloss at her house on Sundays.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2024

Coty's efforts to launch key products such as Burberry Goddess in its high-end "prestige" category and CoverGirl's Yummy Gloss in the consumer beauty category drove a double-digit increase in these segments.

From Reuters • Nov. 7, 2023

She’d been a Lip Gloss Girl; she’d practically run the whole elementary school.

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• glaze
• luster
• varnish
• veneer