noun
varnish
VAH-nihsh
Varnish (noun) means a clear liquid that dries to form a hard, glossy protective coating on wood or other surfaces. Example: “He applied three coats of varnish to the old table before letting it dry.”
noun
1
A clear liquid that dries to form a hard, glossy protective coating on wood or other surfaces.
"He applied three coats of varnish to the old table before letting it dry."
2
A misleading or showy appearance that hides the truth.
"Beneath the varnish of good manners, he was thoroughly ruthless."
verb
1
To coat something with varnish.
"She varnished the bookshelf to protect it from scratches."
2
To make something seem better than it really is; to gloss over a flaw.
"The press release varnished the company's disappointing results."
How to use varnish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVarnish is a protective glossy coating for wood — and figuratively, a superficial polish that hides something less impressive underneath.
Common pairings
coat of varnish
varnish over
apply varnish
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Word forms
- Plural
- varnishes
- Third person singular
- varnishes
- Past tense
- varnished
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He applied three coats of _____ to the old table before letting it dry.
Etymology
From Old French vernis, tracing back through Medieval Latin to the Greek name for a town in North Africa (Berenice) once linked to resin production.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for varnish
See all rhymes for varnish →Frequently asked questions
What does “varnish” mean?
The word “varnish” means a clear liquid that dries to form a hard, glossy protective coating on wood or other surfaces. In plain terms, varnish is a protective glossy coating for wood — and figuratively, a superficial polish that hides something less impressive underneath.
How do you pronounce “varnish”?
“Varnish” is pronounced VAH-nihsh (/ˈvɑː(ɹ)nɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “varnish” in a sentence?
Here is “varnish” used in a sentence: “He applied three coats of varnish to the old table before letting it dry.”
What part of speech is “varnish”?
Depending on how it is used, “varnish” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “varnish” come from?
The word “varnish” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French vernis, tracing back through Medieval Latin to the Greek name for a town in North Africa (Berenice) once linked to resin production.
How many meanings does “varnish” have?
“Varnish” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a clear liquid that dries to form a hard, glossy protective coating on wood or other surfaces.
