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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

A CIA statement later that month said Gloss had been suffering from mental health problems, adding that his death was not a national security issue.

From BBC • Aug. 9, 2025

Gloss is always liable to define its own borders or, at the very least, challenge yours.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 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

Gloss has not been charged with any crimes and denies the claims.

From Salon • May 18, 2023

Natalie Mayhew and the other Lip Gloss Girls had kind of run the whole school last year, before they moved on to middle school.

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• glaze
• luster
• varnish
• veneer