gloss

¹

[glos, glaws]

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.

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

[glos, glaws]

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.

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

abbreviation

1. glossary.

gloss

¹

/ 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

verb

1. to give a gloss to or obtain a gloss

gloss

²

/ 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

verb

1. to add glosses to

gloss.

³

abbreviation

1. glossary

Other Word Forms

• glossless adjective
• glossingly adverb
• glosser noun

Word History and Origins

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”; gloze,

Word History and Origins

Origin of gloss¹

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

Origin of gloss²

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

Synonym Study

See polish.

Example Sentences

The new awareness is the latest indication that the detente has largely glossed over a rivalry between the U.S. and China that is only beginning.

Read more on Barron's

On the day itself, reporters tend to gloss over those opening pages afterwards, because the choices are more newsworthy than the argument.

Read more on BBC

The two companies put a gloss on Big Tech earnings season as they reversed the narrative about the risks they faced from slow progress in AI and the impact of tariffs.

Read more on Barron's

Dembele cut the ball home from a tight angle and Vitinha added even more gloss on the final score, rounding out an incredible European night for the defending champions.

Read more on Barron's

Yet the rosy picture painted by cheerleading TikTok and Instagram influencers glosses over potential adverse effects.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• glaze 
• luster 
• varnish 
• veneer