noun

lacquer

LAK-uh

Lacquer (noun) means a glossy protective coating applied to wood, metal, or nails to give a hard, shiny finish. Example: “The table was finished with several coats of clear lacquer.”

noun

A glossy protective coating applied to wood, metal, or nails to give a hard, shiny finish.

"The table was finished with several coats of clear lacquer."

verb

To coat something with lacquer to give it a smooth, glossy surface.

"The carpenter lacquered the cabinet to protect the wood."

How to use lacquer

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA glossy coating used to protect and shine surfaces like wood, metal, or nails.

Common pairings

clear lacquer coat of lacquer nail lacquer

Word forms

lacquered past tense, lacquers plural, lacquers singular

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The table was finished with several coats of clear _____.

Etymology

From French lacque, from Portuguese laca, tracing back to Sanskrit lākṣā — a doublet of "lac."

Origin: French

Rhymes for lacquer

huer Bauer bluer conquer rescuer exchequer Schopenhauer

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Frequently asked questions

What does “lacquer” mean?

The word “lacquer” means a glossy protective coating applied to wood, metal, or nails to give a hard, shiny finish. In plain terms, a glossy coating used to protect and shine surfaces like wood, metal, or nails.

How do you pronounce “lacquer”?

“Lacquer” is pronounced LAK-uh (/ˈlæk.ɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “lacquer” in a sentence?

Here is “lacquer” used in a sentence: “The table was finished with several coats of clear lacquer.”

What part of speech is “lacquer”?

Depending on how it is used, “lacquer” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “lacquer” come from?

The word “lacquer” comes from French. From French lacque, from Portuguese laca, tracing back to Sanskrit lākṣā — a doublet of "lac.".

How many meanings does “lacquer” have?

“Lacquer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a glossy protective coating applied to wood, metal, or nails to give a hard, shiny finish.