varnish

American  

[vahr-nish] / ˈvɑr nɪʃ /

noun

1. 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.

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

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

4. a coating or surface of varnish.

5. something resembling or suggesting a coat of varnish; gloss.

6. superficial polish or external show, especially to conceal some defect or inadequacy.

   The play has a varnish of witty dialogue.

7. British. nail polish.

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verb (used with object)

1. to apply varnish to; coat or cover with varnish.

2. to give a glossy appearance to.

3. to give an improved appearance to; adorn.

4. to give a superficially pleasing appearance to, especially in order to deceive.

   to varnish the truth.

   Synonyms:

   disguise, gild

varnish British  

/ ˈvɑːnɪʃ /

noun

1. 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

2. 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 solvent See also spirit varnish

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

4. a smooth surface, coated with or as with varnish

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

6. another word for nail polish

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verb

1. to cover with varnish

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

3. to impart a more attractive appearance to

4. to make superficially attractive

Other Word Forms

• revarnish verb (used with object)
• varnisher noun
• varnishy adjective
• well-varnished adjective

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

Nonfarmale’s transfer was deemed perfectly done, but discolored varnish was removed, holes and cracks were repaired, and, as is modern practice, restored areas were made congruent with the rest by delicate watercolor cross-hatching.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

I cubed the steak and browned it hard in my cherry red Dutch oven, watching it cast off its fat and leave behind a savory varnish on the enamel.

From Salon • Jun. 16, 2025

The artwork was coated with a dark varnish and accumulated dirt over the years, giving the false impression it depicts a night scene.

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2024

Such resin was used as a preservative in wine and, in Egypt, as incense and as varnish on funerary equipment of the New Kingdom era.

From New York Times • Jun. 20, 2024

The grain of the wood was uneven, the varnish rough and scratched.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Related Words

• gild
• lacquer