glossy

American  

[glos-ee, glaw-see] / ˈglɒs i, ˈglɔ si /

adjective

glossier, glossiest

1. having a shiny or lustrous surface.

   Synonyms:

   glazed, polished, shining

   Antonyms:

   dull

2. having a false or deceptive appearance or air, especially of experience or sophistication; specious.

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noun

plural

glossies

1. slick.

2. a photograph printed on glossy paper.

glossy British  

/ ˈɡlɒsɪ /

adjective

1. smooth and shiny; lustrous

2. superficially attractive; plausible

3. (of a magazine) lavishly produced on shiny paper and usually with many colour photographs

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noun

1. Also called (US): slick.  an expensively produced magazine, typically a sophisticated fashion or glamour magazine, printed on shiny paper and containing high quality colour photography Compare pulp

2. a photograph printed on paper that has a smooth shiny surface

Other Word Forms

• glossily adverb
• glossiness noun
• nonglossy adjective
• unglossy adjective

Etymology

Origin of glossy

First recorded in 1550–60; gloss ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Radio airplay, strong word of mouth, glossy production and a slick cover that looked like an upscale fragrance ad helped the record sell a million copies by September 1976.

From The Wall Street Journal

While beautiful artifacts, these books are not glossy lifestyle manifestos.

From Salon

It’s at restaurants — when vegetables arrive glossy, salted, unapologetic.

From Salon

She held out a glossy sheet of paper.

From Literature

“I’ve changed the opinion of myself,” Newsom said when asked if he believed the book would revise his glossy public image.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bright
• gleaming
• glistening
• lustrous
• polished
• silky
• sleek
• slick