varnish

[ vahr-nish ]

/ ˈvɑr nɪʃ /

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See 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.

SYNONYMS FOR varnish

11 gild, disguise.

See synonyms for varnish on Thesaurus.com

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM varnish

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

Words nearby varnish

varletry, Varley loop, varmint, Varmus, varna, varnish, varnishing day, varnish tree, varoom, Varro, varroa

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for varnish

Christie spoke passionately about his late mother, who “spoke the truth bluntly, directly, and without much varnish.”
8 Best Moments From Chris Christie’s GOP Convention Speech (VIDEO)|The Daily Beast Video|August 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The varnish of a beautiful amber colour, and there are a few instances of fine red.
Violins and Violin Makers|Joseph Pearce
The varnish is of first quality, and his violins are yearly becoming more valuable and of greater importance.
Violins and Violin Makers|Joseph Pearce
Another is quite equal, more highly finished and has his splendid red varnish.
Violins and Violin Makers|Joseph Pearce

Neither the model, the wood, nor the varnish possesses much verisimilitude at different periods of his career.
Violins and Violin Makers|Joseph Pearce
He also occasionally, but much more seldom, used red coloured varnish.
Violins and Violin Makers|Joseph Pearce

British Dictionary definitions for varnish

varnish

/ (ˈvɑːnɪʃ) /

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 forms of varnish

varnisher, 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

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