varnish

[ vahr-nish ]

/ ˈvɑr nɪʃ /

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.

Nearby words

varletry, varley loop, varmint, varmus, varna, varnish, varnish tree, varnishing day, varoom, varro, varroa

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

SYNONYMS FOR varnish

11 gild, disguise.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR varnish ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

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

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

Examples from the Web for varnish

Varnish, when at a certain temperature, is susceptible of contraction when any colder body is brought in contact with it.
Practical Carriage and Wagon Painting|Mayton Clarence Hillick
This, when finished, she covered with a thick coat of varnish, thus making a very good substitute for the more modern oil-cloth.
The New England Magazine, Volume 1, No. 4, Bay State Monthly, Volume 4, No. 4, April, 1886|Various
He was almost overcome by the smell of assafoetida which emanated from the varnish, and which was caused by the heat.
Famous Violinists of To-day and Yesterday|Henry C. Lahee
It is admired, perhaps, because it has a gloss, rather than a shine of the varnish stamp.
French Polishing and Enamelling|Richard Bitmead

It is employed by artists in water colors and as a varnish for lacquer work.
Catalogue of Economic Plants in the Collection of the U. S. Department of Agriculture|William Saunders

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

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