nail polish

American  

noun

1. a polish of quick-drying lacquer, either clear or colored, used to paint the fingernails or toenails.

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nail polish British  

noun

1. a quick-drying lacquer applied to colour the nails or make them shiny or esp both

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Etymology

Origin of nail polish

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

She said she recognised her mother's from her red nail polish.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

Earlier attempts to solve this problem involved adding conductive materials such as carbon nanotubes or metallic particles to nail polish.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

That includes Anew Material, a company making nail polish that it says is free of petrochemicals and microplastics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

This is a sentiment echoed by Lucas Lane, 15, who runs an online business selling nail polish to boys.

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2024

“Some do that,” she says, her tone almost affable now, though distanced; it’s as if we’re considering a choice of nail polish.

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood