varnish

[vahr-nish]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR varnish ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a preparation consisting of resinous matter, as copal or lac, dissolved in an oil (oil varnish) or in alcohol (spirit varnish) or other volatile liquid. When applied to the surface of wood, metal, etc., it dries and leaves a hard, more or less glossy, usually transparent coating.

the sap of certain trees, used for the same purpose (natural varnish).

any of various other preparations similarly used, as one having India rubber, pyroxylin, or asphalt as its chief constituent.

a coating or surface of varnish.

something resembling or suggesting a coat of varnish; gloss.

superficial polish or external show, especially to conceal some defect or inadequacy: The play has a varnish of witty dialogue.

British. nail polish.

verb (used with object)

to apply varnish to; coat or cover with varnish.

to give a glossy appearance to.

to give an improved appearance to; adorn.

to give a superficially pleasing appearance to, especially in order to deceive: to varnish the truth.

Origin of varnish

1300–50; Middle English varnisch < Middle French vernis, verniz < Medieval Latin vernicium sandarac < Medieval Greek bernī́kē, syncopated variant of Greek Berenī́kē, city in Cyrenaica

Related formsvar·nish·er, nounvar·nish·y, adjectivere·var·nish, verb (used with object)well-var·nished, adjective

Synonyms for varnish

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR varnish ON THESAURUS.COM

11. gild, disguise.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for varnish

gild, lacquer, finish, polish, enamel, wash, coat, gloss, cover, surface, luster, paint, glaze, decorate, wax, adorn, shellac, veneer, japan

Examples from the Web for varnish

Historical Examples of varnish

He drew a match along the arm of the chair where the varnish was worn off.
Chip, of the Flying U
B. M. Bower
After they are well buttered, varnish them all over with a feather, dipped in the yolk of an egg stirred up with a little beer.
The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches,
Mary Eaton
For pales and weather boards this varnish is superior to paint, and much cheaper than what is commonly used for that purpose.
The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches,
Mary Eaton
This varnish will set, or keep its place on the silk in four hours, the silk may then be turned and varnished on the other side.
The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches,
Mary Eaton
Nice, slick-lookin' craft she was, too, all varnish and gilt gorgeousness.
The Depot Master
Joseph C. Lincoln

British Dictionary definitions for varnish

varnish

noun

Also called: oil varnish a preparation consisting of a solvent, a drying oil, and usually resin, rubber, bitumen, etc, for application to a surface where it polymerizes to yield a hard glossy, usually transparent, coating

a similar preparation consisting of a substance, such as shellac or cellulose ester, dissolved in a volatile solvent, such as alcohol. It hardens to a film on evaporation of the solventSee also spirit varnish

Also called: natural varnish the sap of certain trees used to produce such a coating

a smooth surface, coated with or as with varnish

an artificial, superficial, or deceptively pleasing manner, covering, etc; veneer

mainly British another word for nail polish

verb (tr)

to cover with varnish

to give a smooth surface to, as if by painting with varnish

to impart a more attractive appearance to

to make superficially attractive

Derived Formsvarnisher, noun

Word Origin for varnish

C14: from Old French vernis, from Medieval Latin veronix sandarac, resin, from Medieval Greek berenikē, perhaps from Greek Berenikē, city in Cyrenaica, Libya where varnishes were used

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

Word Origin and History for varnish

mid-14c., from Old French vernis "varnish" (12c.), from Medieval Latin vernix "odorous resin," perhaps from Late Greek verenike, from Greek Berenike, name of an ancient city in Libya (modern Bengasi) credited with the first use of varnishes. The town is named for Berenike II, queen of Egypt (see Berenice). Figurative sense of "specious gloss, pretense," is recorded from 1560s.

late 14c.; see varnish (n.). Related: Varnished; varnishing.