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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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Related Words

See polish.

Other Word Forms

• glosser
  noun
• glossingly
  adverb
• glossless
  adjective

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

John McGinn's late double put the gloss on a dominant performance that was too much for Forest to match, or even cope with.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

SPF gloss goes great with her collection of wide-brimmed hats.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

It has a gloss to it, a kind of quiet sheen that standard mayo simply does not.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

Ozon gives it all a fascinatingly detached gloss so that our curiosity is well-tapped.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Every single day he looked like he had just walked out of Sunday school: Every thin yellow hair on his pinhead was perfectly cut and licked to a gloss.

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

Related Words

• glaze
• luster
• varnish
• veneer