varnish
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.”
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.
Word forms
varnished past tense, varnishes plural, varnishes singular
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
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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.