varnish

1 of 2

noun

var·​nish ˈvär-nish How to pronounce varnish (audio)
Synonyms of varnishnext
1
a
: a liquid preparation that when applied to a surface dries to form a hard lustrous typically transparent coating
b
: the covering or glaze given by the application of varnish
c(1)
: something that suggests varnish by its gloss
(2)
: a coating (as of deposits in an internal combustion engine) comparable to varnish
2
: outside show : gloss entry 1
3
chiefly British : a liquid nail polish
varnishy
ˈvär-ni-shē How to pronounce varnish (audio)
adjective

varnish

2 of 2

verb

varnished; varnishing; varnishes

transitive verb

1
: to apply varnish to
2
: to cover or conceal (something, such as something unpleasant) with something that gives an attractive appearance : gloss entry 2
3
: adorn, embellish
varnisher
ˈvär-ni-shər How to pronounce varnish (audio)
noun

Examples of varnish in a Sentence

Noun She accidentally scratched the varnish.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Their varnish comes from the sap of their own pine trees, mixed with linseed oil and aged for six months in glass bottles. —Julie Orringer, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2024 Instead, Bowlin chips away the private-equity varnish to reveal the chasm between the haves and the have-nots. —Longreads, 3 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for varnish 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'varnish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English vernyz, vernich, vernisch "dissolved resin used as a decorative or protective coating," borrowed from Anglo-French vernis (continental Old French verniz), borrowed from Medieval Latin veronix, vernix "resin," earlier "amber," restructured from Middle Greek berōnikón, beroníkē "yellow- or amber-colored glass, amber," probably going back to Greek bereníkion "natron, reddish- or yellowish-hued natron (used in making glass)," of uncertain origin

Note: The Greek word for "natron" has no evident connection with the city name Bereníkē in ancient Cyrenaica nor any of the other place-names based on the female given name Bereníkē borne by various Macedonian queens and princesses of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt.

Verb

Middle English vernysshen, borrowed from Middle French vernicier and Medieval Latin vernizāre, both derivative of Old French verniz varnish entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of varnish was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing varnish

Dictionary Entries Near varnish

varnashrama

varnish

varnished willow

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Varnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/varnish. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

varnish

1 of 2 noun
var·​nish ˈvär-nish How to pronounce varnish (audio)
1
a
: a liquid that when spread and allowed to dry on a surface forms a hard shiny typically transparent coating
b
: the covering or shiny coating given by varnish
2
: false outward appearance

varnish

2 of 2 verb
: to cover with or as if with varnish

Medical Definition

varnish

noun
var·​nish ˈvär-nish How to pronounce varnish (audio)
: any of various liquid preparations that when spread and allowed to dry on a surface form a hard lustrous typically transparent coating and that include some used in dentistry to line deep cavities in order to protect the pulp of a tooth
varnish transitive verb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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