gloss

1
[ glos, glaws ]
See synonyms for gloss on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a superficial luster or shine; glaze: the gloss of satin.

  2. a false or deceptively good appearance.

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

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.

Origin of gloss

1
First recorded in 1530–40; probably akin to Dutch gloos “glowing,” Middle High German glosen “to glow, shine,” Swedish dialect glysa “to shine”

synonym study For gloss

1. See polish.

Other words for gloss

Other words from gloss

  • glossless, adjective

Words Nearby gloss

Other definitions for gloss (2 of 3)

gloss2
[ glos, glaws ]

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

  2. a series of verbal interpretations of a text.

  1. an artfully misleading interpretation.

verb (used with object)
  1. to insert glosses on; annotate.

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

  1. to give a specious interpretation of; explain away (often followed by over or away): to gloss over a serious problem with a pat solution.

verb (used without object)
  1. to make glosses.

Origin of gloss

2
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,

Other words for gloss

Other words from gloss

  • gloss·ing·ly, adverb

Other definitions for gloss. (3 of 3)

gloss.

abbreviation
  1. glossary.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use gloss in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gloss (1 of 3)

gloss1

/ (ɡlɒs) /


noun
    • lustre or sheen, as of a smooth surface

    • (as modifier): gloss paint

  1. a superficially attractive appearance

  1. a cosmetic preparation applied to the skin to give it a faint sheen: lip gloss

verb
  1. to give a gloss to or obtain a gloss

Origin of gloss

1
C16: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic glossi flame, Middle High German glosen to glow

Derived forms of gloss

  • glosser, noun
  • glossless, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for gloss (2 of 3)

gloss2

/ (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

  1. short for glossary

verb(tr)
  1. to add glosses to

Origin of gloss

2
C16: from Latin glōssa unusual word requiring explanatory note, from Ionic Greek

Derived forms of gloss

  • glosser, noun
  • glossingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for gloss. (3 of 3)

gloss.

abbreviation for
  1. glossary

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012