varnish

[vahr-nish]

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.

verb (used with object)

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

/ 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

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of varnish¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of varnish¹

C14: from Old French vernis, from Medieval Latin veronix sandarac, resin, from Medieval Greek berenikē, perhaps from Greek Berenikē, city in Cyrenaica, Libya where varnishes were used

Example Sentences

Bartenders slide Budweiser and Rainier and Miller and Coors across the varnished bar top, 3,120 cans and bottles in all.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I cubed the steak and browned it hard in my cherry red Dutch oven, watching it cast off its fat and leave behind a savory varnish on the enamel.

Read more on Salon

The report found issues that compromised infection control as staff members of all groups were not wearing a mask properly, did not have bare arms below the elbow and were wearing jewellery or nail varnish.

Read more on BBC

“I did my best to strip the varnish away,” Sheff writes.

Read more on Salon

Methanol is a toxic alcohol used in industrial and household products like paint thinners, antifreeze, varnish and photocopier fluid.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• gild 
• lacquer