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gloss

1
[ glos, glaws ]
/ glɒs, glɔs /
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noun
a superficial luster or shine; glaze: the gloss of satin.
a false or deceptively good appearance.
Also glosser . a cosmetic that adds sheen or luster, especially one for the lips.
verb (used with object)
to put a gloss upon.
to give a false or deceptively good appearance to: to gloss over flaws in the woodwork.
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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 FROM gloss

glossless, adjective

Other definitions for gloss (2 of 3)

gloss2
[ glos, glaws ]
/ glɒs, glɔs /
noun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to make glosses.

OTHER WORDS FOR gloss

1 comment, annotation.
2 commentary, critique, exegesis, explication.
5 explain, interpret, analyze, explicate.
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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 FROM gloss

gloss·ing·ly, adverb

Other definitions for gloss (3 of 3)

gloss.
abbreviation
glossary.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to gloss

glaze, luster, varnish, veneer, soft pedal, annotate, elucidate, appearance, brightness, brilliance, burnish, facade, finish, front, gleam, glint, glossiness, polish, shimmer, silkiness

How to use gloss in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gloss (1 of 3)

gloss1
/ (ɡlɒs) /
noun
  1. lustre or sheen, as of a smooth surface
  2. (as modifier)gloss paint
a superficially attractive appearance
See gloss paint
a cosmetic preparation applied to the skin to give it a faint sheenlip gloss
verb
to give a gloss to or obtain a gloss
See also gloss over

Derived forms of gloss

glosser, nounglossless, adjective

Word Origin for gloss

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

British Dictionary definitions for gloss (2 of 3)

gloss2
/ (ɡlɒs) /
noun
a short or expanded explanation or interpretation of a word, expression, or foreign phrase in the margin or text of a manuscript, etc
an intentionally misleading explanation or interpretation
short for glossary
verb (tr)
to add glosses to

Derived forms of gloss

glosser, nounglossingly, adverb

Word Origin for gloss

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

British Dictionary definitions for gloss (3 of 3)

gloss.
abbreviation for
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
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